Synopsis:  Roberto Clemente has often been called “the Jackie Robinson of Hispanic baseball players” because he was the first impact player from Latin America to play Major League Baseball. His broken English and dark skin made it difficult for him to blend into a white-dominated American society and a racist media. Clemente overcame these obstacles, becoming a Hall of Fame right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, many people feel his greatest contribution was not on the baseball diamond. He performed a lot of baseball clinics for young children and gave to charities. He died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972. The audience who will be most interested in my topic are those who love sports, but more importantly appreciate the human characteristics of professional athletes. This topic goes beyond the lines and explores one of the most important parts of being a human – helping others.

World Wide Web Sources

1. Title: Roberto Clemente
Web address: http://www.freeessays.cc/db/46/sjf112.shtml
Brief description: This is written by a Clemente fan. The author gives a summary of Clemente’s life – telling how he grew up in a humble background, the youngest of four children and given the incredible gift to play baseball. He was only 20 when he was a full-time starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente was building a sports city for children in San Juan, P.R. to play in before his death. He died off the coast of Puerto Rico, where his plane crashed into the ocean. His wife and two children have kept his dream alive to build a sports city. He was the first Hispanic inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Source of Web Site: http://www.freeessays.cc/index.shtml

2. Title: Remembering Roberto Clemente
Web address: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/6073048
Brief description: The author says Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson were not only similar because of their baseball success, but because they helped people off the diamond. Clemente was eager and upset that the thousands of Nicaraguan earthquake survivors were not getting their necessary supplies to live. So he got on a plane that was to help them, but eventually crashed, killing him. Today, Clemente’s dream to build a sports city is finished in Puerto Rico, including: six baseball fields; a track; basketball and volleyball facilities. Clemente was known as a hypochondriac, yet he had a long, stellar baseball career.
Source of Web Site: http://cbs.sportsline.com

3. Title: Roberto Clemente
Web address: http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/chh/bio/clemente_r.htm
Brief description: This site gives Clemente’s biography, but also talks about how the media misunderstood him. He felt his words were misquoted in newspapers and felt like Hispanic people were misjudged and treated because of it. He had strong ties to his Puerto Rican culture. Even after rigorous study, Clemente never spoke perfect English. This did not take away from his ambition to help his fellow Puerto Ricans and anyone who needed help – whether it was advice on life or baseball.
Source of Web Site: A division of the Thompson Learning Corporation

4. Title: Roberto Clemente: A Vocal Leader For Equality
Web address: http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2002/vol6n14/RobertoClemente-en.shtml
Brief description: Clemente was often defiant and full of pride, but he was able to deal with something no other player had before him – both a language and color barrier. He was misquoted or quoted in a condescending way as the author gave examples: “Let me peetch … I theenk.” He started the infiltration of Latin Americans into the big league baseball. Despite what reporters wrote, Clemente remained outspoken, especially about helping others.
Source of Web Site: The Puerto Rican Herald online

5. Title: Roberto Clemente
Web address: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/12/31/flashback_clemente1/
Brief description: When Clemente made his debut on April 17, 1955, he was called Bob Clemente because the American baseball world felt North Americans were not ready for the Hispanic name Roberto. The author talked about how writers ridiculed him in print, such as, “I no run fast cold weather.” His brilliant playing ability finally earned him individual awards in the 1960s and gave Hispanic players respect in America. This article is well-written and gives great stories about the person Clemente truly was.
Source of Web Site: Sports Illustrated online

Other Reference Sources:

Eisen, George; Wiggins, David K. Ethnicity and sport in North American history and culture. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994. Call number GV709.5.E84 1994.

Hochman, Stan. (1989, June 11). Hall Voting: Power of Press Doesn’t Rest On Reason. Knight-Ridder Newspapers [Online], 44 paragraphs. Available: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].

Kaplan, Jim. (1987, October 5). It’s a dream come true: Roberto Clemente’s sports center is taking shape. Sports Illustrated [Online], 8 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac Student Edition [2003, February 1].

Plaschke, Bill. (1998, January 12). Lamenting Clemente. The Sporting News [Online], 29 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac Student Edition [2003, February 1].

Regalado, Samuel O. Viva Baseball!: Latin major leaguers and their special hunger. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. Call number GV685.A1 R38 1998.

Robinson, Alan. (1997, December 17). In Pittsburgh, Clemente still a hero 25 years after his death. Associated Press Sports News [Online], 27 paragraphs. Available: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2003, February 1].

Internet Story:Title of Internet Story

Title: Internet Censorship – Is It Possible?
(Topic Area: Net Controversy)

The idea of the First Amendment allows freedom of speech and of the press. This has been proven faulty, with certain laws made by government and court decisions. The Sedition Act is an example of this, once used during wartime against anyone who spoke out against the American government or war. So what about the Internet?

It is a form of communication that has been highly debated upon when the words censorship and First Amendment are brought up.

The first doctrine that paved the way for censorship on the Internet likely began during a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It said that, “government can regulate indecent broadcasts because they are received in private homes where children may be listening.” (1) This contradicts the First Amendment. But like other parts of the Constitution, it is often not concrete and is available for interpretation.

In 1996, Congress took action where the Supreme Court left off, targeting the Internet, in a law known as the Communications Decency Act. This law restricted “indecent speech” on the Internet. (1)

However, this law did not last long, and it was the Supreme Court who struck it down in June 1997 in Reno versus ACLU. The decision eliminated the Communications Decency Act and provided free speech rights on the Internet, the highest level of First Amendment protection. (2)

In December 2000, a conservative U.S. Congress passed legislation all pornographic materials to be blocked in all public schools and libraries that were federally funded. (2)

Despite federal legislation, there is governmental action at the state level that affects censorship on the Internet. More than 13 states have passed laws since 1995 and many bills are pending in nearly a dozen states. (2)

The debate over Internet Censorship continues. Such innovations as “content filtering” and “censor-ware” make it easy for Internet service providers to block out and censor any material they wish. (3) So while the law states freedom of speech, in practicality it is not always the case.

NOTES:

(1) Wallace, Jonathan D. (1999). Supreme Court’s Rulings Threaten Free Speech [Online]. Available:http://web3.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/891/753/57013702w3/purl=rc1_STO [2003, February 1]. Tells about Supreme Court ruling in 1978 and other ramifications of Internet and print media.

(2) Electronic Privacy Information Center. (2002). Internet Censorship [Online]. Available:http://www.epic.org/free_speech/censorship/ [2003, February 1]. Gives information on current federal, state and international censorship news.

(3) Marshall, Joshua Micah. (1998). Will Free Speech Get Tangled In the Net? [Online]. Available:http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=3ad5993e667667077b49ce0c4aa367 [2003, February 1]. Discusses the First Amendment and whether freedom of speech is impeded by Internet censorship.

Three Web sites:

(1) Title of Web page: Is There A Worldwide Conservative Crack-Up?
Web address: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=3ad5993d58585dsl4948
Brief Description: The author talks with 28 writers, thinkers, activists, and political professionals for their thoughts on the conservative way of thinking in dealing with issues like Internet censorship.
Source of Web site:http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/

(2) Title of Web page: Internet: the lost fight
Web address: http://web3.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/891/753/57013w3/purl=rc_st
Brief Description: The author argues why the Communications Decency Act should have been upheld by the Supreme Court. He says the act was not unconstitutional.
Source of Web site:http://web3.infotrac.galegroup.com/

(3) Title of Web page: Internet Censorship: will the debate ever end?
Web address: http://www.geocities.com/nackerlm/internet_censorship.html
Brief Description: Discusses the pros and cons of internet censorship and provides facts and opinions.
Source of Web site: http://www.geocities.com/nackerlm/