Jack Johnson won the title in 1908 but was later convicted of transporting white women across US state lines for immoral purposes and served one year in prison .
From the BBC Article
…
[I]
His 1908 victory over Tommy Burns prompted the search for a “Great White Hope” who could defeat the black man, but Johnson held the title until 1915.
After his conviction in 1913, Johnson fled the US, returning in 1920 to serve his term.
He returned to boxing but was unable to regain his title.
[/I]
I am not sure if I can add anything to this article or say anything that doesn’t fall into “water is wet” category .
The article is well worth the time spent reading it .
I would say “it’s about fucking time”, but they need to sign it first. Things done back then were an absolute shame. Too bad we don’t teach things like this in the history classrooms.
Did you know he opened the Harlem nightspot that eventually became the famed Cotton Club?
In 1908 we had:
Segregation
No child labor laws
No minimum wage
No paid overtime
No weekends off
No voting rights for women
No equal employment laws
The list goes on, but you get the idea…
we are involved in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
its not if but when we will be subjected to another terrorist attack
our economy is in the crapper.
The average American is dumb as a stump knows nothing about US history much less world history but dam ask the mofo about American Idol or Survivor they will know the personal history of every contestant.
I’m sorry, I thought the premise was “things are better now then in 1908” not “things are perfect now” (or even “things are good now”).
P.S.
In 1908 we didn’t have any educational standards either. Kids did not have to stay in school until they were 16 and the literacy rate was much worse.
its not if but when we will be subjected to another terrorist attack
our economy is in the crapper.
True again our stagnant, oppressive, corporate fellating givernment breed terrorism and shitty environments for the little man to make or retain wealth .
The average American is dumb as a stump knows nothing about US history much less world history but dam ask the mofo about American Idol or Survivor they will know the personal history of every contestant.
True
Your funny for a dude with a LEO tag but I would much rather live in this day in age than in 1908 .
it was meant to be a little satiric and some truth at the same time. but yes im glad to be alive today as well.
But the sad part of what I said is true , go to europe , and kids there for the most part they speak 2 or three languages , know their own history and their culture . Whereas most americans dont know jack shit cept MTV bullshit
For shame, sir, for shame. I’m sure it’s just coincidence that McCain’s opponent has African heritage and, as for his selection of a woman to run as his VP candidate, well,…it’s obviously just another coincidence because Obama selected Biden instead of…er…um…Hillary.
Taking my tongue out of my cheek for a moment, I’m reminded of the quote by Gunboat Smith on Johnson before he won the title, “you could talk to him then…”
People go overboard about him. Nat Fleischer used to proclaim Johnson as “The Galveston Giant”…hyperbole, he was 6ft 1ins and a Defensive Genius - well, scientific perhaps but Fleischer lived to see the Brilliance of Clay/Ali.
Johnson won the title from Tommy Burns, 5ft 7ins, and punished him out of spite hence the Oz Police entering the Ring to stop it. He defeated Stan Ketchel, World MW champion who was, again, 5ft 7ins and likewise he outweighed him significantly.
After he lost the title (having never defended against an African-American) he spent his time mischief-making and was dismissive of Joe Louis seeking the World HW title, read that as “jealous” - no, he was not a nice man, great fighter perhaps but on his terms.
God Damn right it is. For anyone not up on the history of Jack Johnson, I recommend you check out this thread over at MAP and the included documentary (it’s on the first page). It’s called:[B][SIZE=4][B]
Unforgivable Blackness - The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson
[/B][/SIZE][/B]This is an excellent PBS documentary - mostly done in the “put a photo on the screen and talk for 5 minutes” style, but it’s terribly informative and gives a good play by play of the civil rights movement and how Jack Johnson related to it. Its a 2 hour documentary but infinitely memorable and totally worth watching.