ATLANTA – Maybe it was fitting that Dan Uggla became the biggest hero of the Atlanta Braves’ 3-2, Civil Rights Game win over Philadelphia on Sunday at Turner Field.
Maybe a guy who’s struggled all season at the plate should deliver the winning home run in the contest Major League Baseball designated to recognize this nation’s longest continual struggle for equality.
Not that the athletic struggles of a multimillionaire are even remotely representative of the struggles of African Americans to pull equal in opportunities in this greatest of nations.
Or, for that matter, the Hispanic community, which had its immigration issues brought front and center during an elaborate pre-game ceremony that honored Mr. Chicago Cub Ernie Banks (Beacon of Life award), actor Morgan Freeman (Beacon of Hope) and musician Carlos Santana (Beacon of Change).
It was during that supposed celebration that Santana – who was born in Mexico – told the 42,117 gathered at Turner that, “The people of Arizona, and the people of Atlanta, Georgia, should be ashamed of themselves,” for Governor Nathan Deal signing into law that will force employers to view immigration papers on new hires.