Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohammed Ali, Fredrick Douglas, Rosa Parks, are just some of the African Americans who contributed to trying to change Discrimination and racism in the United States. In Invisible Man, written by Ralph Ellison, the first chapter is the beginning of "The Battle Royal". In this chapter, the narrator is a black male trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs. Ralph Ellison states, “I was searching for myself and asking everyone but myself questions that I, and only I, could answer.” (Ellison.) As well as many other African Americans, the narrator just wants to see what he can do in life and be the best he can. African Americans have suffered humiliation, insults, bullying, emotional and/or physical abuse just for trying to be who they want to be. While racism may not be as big of an issue nowadays, there was a big fight in the past and is sometimes still a fight today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story of Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" symbolizes all African Americans and their fight for equality. The narrator endures a lot of pain, suffering, and humiliation in this story. The narrator – who is not given a specific name because he symbolizes and represents the entire black community – was considered the brightest of all blacks. In "Battle Royal", the young man was given the opportunity to earn a scholarship by presenting a graduation speech to the highest personalities of the white community. All the major bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors, pastors, teachers, firefighters and merchants were in the room awaiting the speech. All African Americans were invited to the speech, but only the narrator gave the speech. As many would expect, he thought white people would show him respect and their full attention as he gave his speech. Instead he achieved the exact opposite. When all the black graduates entered the room filled with cigar smoke, they were each handed a pair of boxing gloves and led into the large mirrored hall. Whispers and confused looks arose. African Americans could tell there was something strange about this situation. The whiskey had already invaded everyone in the room. The narrator has to suffer severe humiliation while presenting his speech to receive a scholarship to achieve his dreams. He came in thinking it would be a positive environment, but instead he had to face something he never imagined. Ellison explains how the African Americans were pushed into the room and forced to watch a blonde dance naked. They were forced to watch even when they begged not to, and faced public humiliation. “To my right I saw a boy faint. And now a man grabbed a silver jug ​​from a table and walked over as he poured ice water over him, lifted him to his feet, and forced two of us to support him as his head lolled and moans escaped his thick bluish lips. Another boy began to beg to go home. He was the largest of the group, wearing a dark red combat costume, too small to hide the erection that jutted out of him as if in response to the low moaning of the clarinet. He tried to hide with boxing gloves. And in the meantime the blonde continued to dance, smiling slightly at the big shots who looked at her fascinated, and smiling slightly at our fear. (Ellison.) This is just one of the instances of public humiliation these African Americans faced. The narrator was about to give a speech to receive a grant ofstudy, so he could follow his dreams and see what he could achieve with his life. This is like pure torture for these poor innocent young people. These kids were treated like this just because of the color of their skin. No one, not in a million years, would have thought of doing this to a white man or woman, especially if there was a black man or woman on the other end. This simply shows how blacks and whites were not equal. Inequality between blacks and whites did not just stop with public humiliation, but continued to other life events. “Public schools, drinking fountains, lunch counters and swimming pools had not been integrated. A lot of people in white America really liked it, and yet it was far enough along in the story arc that a lot of them knew they shouldn't have liked it. (Kluger.) At that time, most things were not segregated. A great inequality and a situation of non-segregation between whites and blacks was sport. A good and probably the most well-known example of inequality in sport would be, yes, that's true…. JACKIE ROBINSON.August 28, 1945, Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, had a several-hour meeting with Mr. Robinson because he wanted to sign him to the team. Rickey wanted to break the color barrier and had also seen Jackie's talent and knew she would be the right person to break it. Branch told Robinson that he had to be ready to face all the humiliation and harassment that no player had ever faced. Jackie agreed and kept the secret of his signature until Branch released it. Two months later, Branch released the news of Jackie's arrival to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers were in Montreal, where their main farm was located, when the announcement of Jackie's arrival was made. Jackie played phenomenally in Montreal in 1946. Later in 1947, he was promoted to the Dodgers. Rubinstein stated that "Robinson's presence produced a barrage of racial slurs and insults, especially from the Philadelphia Phillies, a club known for taunting opposing players." Despite everything that was said, Jackie never reacted or responded. The heroic act put Jackie and Branch in the line of fire of the public, the press and other actors. Jackie faced many harsh criticisms and words against him, but he never lost his courage. He showed remarkable restraint by not reacting. He chose to let his talent speak for him. No matter how much he wanted to defend himself or his family, he simply had to sit down and breathe to stay calm. If Robinson had yelled at one of the mean people who insulted him, he would most likely have been just another middle of the road track star. A really interesting movie about the life of Jackie Robinson, the journey of his baseball career and raising his family is called 42 on Netflix, and it's a MUST SEE! Jackie Robinson wasn't the only African American to face racial issues in sports. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The movie 42 and the whole story of Jackie Robinson's journey life/baseball career connects very well to the “Battle Royal” story because both stories have black men trying to find themselves and get to the test. In the process, they were harassed and humiliated. They all took it like champions and worked harder. In both stories, nothing could stop them from finding themselves and getting what they want. In "Battle Royal", people are cruel and rude to people who have a different skin color than theirs. In the popular movie 42, everyone hurls racial slurs at Jackie as he takes the field for/.