And after a remarkable career that spanned almost 20 years and yielded nearly 100 professional titles, including five Grand Slam crowns, Gibson took up golf and became the first African American to earn an LPGA card. There are many more African Americans in history that have made a difference in the sports society. Each one has their own skill and way of showing it. Half way through this century we saw great strides in our society by breaking the racial barrier. However, today we are faced with the same criticisms, as we were 50 years ago.
Minorities still have to break that racial barrier to compete on the same level as whites do.
We have seen examples of this in each decade since the 1950 s starting with Willie Mays being forced out of Boston because he was black. Not until 1959 did the Red Sox have a colored player on the roster. In the 60 s we saw the likes of Mohammed Ali and Bill Russell take the stage. Mohammed Ali showed the black race how to stand up and take charge of your abilities no matter what your skin color might be. Bill Russell did something of the same.