Staff Photographer Kenneth Shropshire spoke in Salomon Hall Friday night.
Affirmative action is controversial because the question of merit always comes up.
This is also the title of his most recent book. No black individuals have ownership claims in any of the three professional leagues, and top management is only 5 percent black, a figure which Shropshire called reflective of corporate America. Addressing integration, Shropshire talked about baseball and specifically about Jackie Robinson, who was the first minority player to join the Major Leagues on April 15, 1947. He spoke also of Robinson's lack of popularity in some circles because of his willingness to compromise with the white power structure in return for a chance to play in the Major Leagues. Robinson had pitches thrown at his head, was insulted with racial slurs from fans and fellow players alike and frequently had players spike him as they slid into second base where he played, Shropshire added.