He's the author of the book "Fantasy Island: Colonialism, Exploitation and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico." Clemente's legacy places him alongside athletes who spoke out during the 1960s and 70s era of America's racial reckoning. And as the 19th annual Roberto Clemente day comes at a time when America is facing an awakening on systemic racism, we should remember that what Clemente did off the field was just as important as what he did on it. As a player who faced stinging Jim Crow discrimination during spring training in Florida with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as a cool reception in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Clemente was not shy about calling out discrimination. Two months later, on New Year's Eve, Clemente died in a plane crash while he was trying to bring humanitarian supplies from his homeland to Nicaragua after a major earthquake.

Source: CNN September 10, 2020 01:41 UTC