Jack Johnson: First African American Heavyweight Boxer

Johnson was not the first ever black boxer. While there was some black involvement in the sport, there was not much viewing interest coming from the black population. Up until 1908 white boxers refused to fight black opponents. Ironic how tunes change to the cha-ching of dollar signs. The beginning of the twentieth century saw a decline in boxing popularity and Sam Fitzpatrick capitalized on it. He decided that there was no time like the present for change. He set up a match between champion Tommy Burns and this unbeatable negro. Burns thought this would be an easy way to line his pockets with cash, so he agreed.

July 4, 1910 was not an ordinary Independence Day. On this day in Reno Nevada, boxer, Jack Johnson proved that the white man is not superior. Johnson broke the color barrier, being the first African American contestant to officially win the world heavyweight boxing title (defeating Jim Jeffries). However, Independence Day 1910, was not the first time Johnson competed for the title. On December 26, 1908 in Sydney Australia, Johnson matched against Tommy Burns for the heavyweight championship, the first time in history a white man would compete against an African American for this high-status title. After 14 rounds, Johnson easily won the match and became the first black heavyweight champion, but the fight was stopped by police. Immediately

Did you know that Martin Luther King JR was shot and killed in a hotel in Memphis? Martin Luther King is one of the best motivators of his time, with words like, don’t judge someone by the color of their skin, but by the actions that they choose to make. MLK (Martin Luther King JR) was a shooting star, that actually makes dreams come true, you only see that once in a lifetime. First, MLK was one of those people who knew education like it was the back of their hand. Also, if it wasn’t for his speeches we would be right where we were before he made his speeches, race against race. In the end, he had the confidence to lead him into these speeches and no one could take that, sure he was a “Negro” that does not meant that he doesn’t have the charisma, the education, as a “White person.” MLK made a difference, so can you. Those are some reasons why MLK was and will forever be, one of the best inspirers, he shows differences, he is smart, he is charismatic, he simply is a, owl, a cat hunting, a dolphin having its jumps in life, he was the dream maker, a huge impact on racism, he wanted to make sure that the people, you and me, would be together, knowing that someone in life had sacrificed so much to get you where you are today.

I see when I look at the history of Anthony Johnson that the hope for freedom of black people at the time wasn’t as grave as I would have thought. Anthony Johnson was

During those forteen years, inspirational men and women rose up for equality among all men and women of any race no matter the color or gender. However in the years before this movement, those with colored skin were accused of things they didn’t do, and were called guilty or killed with no reasonable explanation. The Civil Rights movement perhaps wouldn’t have happened were it not for one death, which was most likely the most important death to happen at that time. Emmett Till’s death sparked

This march was met by violent resistance by White community and Local authorities. Johnson provided an escort to send out the message that Black people are entitled to the same rights. This was resonant and may have created a rippling effect amongst White community, creating the idea of equality as being right. Due to Johnsons policy of ‘The great Society’ and ‘the war on poverty’, “Black unemployment decreased by 34% and the percentage of Blacks living under the poverty line decreased by 25%” (source 7). This suggests that Johnson’s aims were being fulfilled and creating a better society as intended, as oppose to Eisenhower who planted the seed of Civil Rights but did not maintain the attitude throughout his presidency and John F Kennedy who showed interest but no action was taken on his behalf. We can infer from this that the living standards of African-Americans improved due to Johnson’s involvement in The Civil Rights movement.

Growing up as an African American during a time of discrimination and segregation in the United States took a lot of bravery. Blacks who grew up during this era were constantly pushed around, patiently awaiting the day they could use the same bathroom as a White man. One of the first men to help break this barrier is Jackie Robinson. Unlike the great MLK, Robinson was able to fight for change with something other than his words; he broke down segregation in America with a bat and a glove.

Johnson followed Jeffries from town to town. “Jeffries, however, refused to fight a black boxer and instead decided to retire undefeated.”(Unforgivable Blackness). The Championship was handed over to a white named Tommy Burns, who as well declined to fight Johnson but eventually gave in at the cost of thirty thousand dollars. In the year 1908, Johnson knocked out Burns in the sixteenth round, to win the title and create history. “He was a fast and brilliant defensive boxer who fought at a time when white champions like John L. Sullivan and James Jeffries refused to fight black fighters. Jeffries retired rather than face Johnson, but he returned six years later when the clamor for a great white hope could not be ignored”(Sandomir D3). Even James Jefferies was beaten and and thus, Johnson had beat all that stood in his way, from bottom to the top. Through perseverance and relentlessness, Johnson had achieved his dream.

He fought long and hard for what “he believed with certitude was a sin against God.” (Bordewich, 3). Of the many words used to describe Brown, one that would come up occasionally was hero. But “it wasn't until the 1970’s that John Brown the hero re-emerged.” (Chowder, 6). Two studies done by Stephen B. Oates and Richard Owen Boyer came to a conclusion that “Brown was stubborn, monomaniacal, egotistical, self-righteous, and sometimes deceitful; yet he was, at certain times, a great man.”(Chowder,6). Also, “among African- Americans, Brown’s heroism has never been in doubt. (Chowder, 6) Many strong black figures commended Brown’s actions in various ways. “Frederick Douglass praised him in print; W. E. B. Du Bois published a four-hundred word celebration of him in 1909; Malcolm X said he wouldn't mind being with white people if they were like John Brown; Alice Walker, in a poem, even wondered if in an earlier incarnation she herself hadn’t once been John Brown.” (Chowder, 6). Harriet Tubman “thought Brown was the greatest white man who had ever lived.” (Bordewich, 5). He even “began comparing himself to Jesus Christ. And he was not alone.” (Chowder, 5). Though he was described as “crazy” for a large part of his life, the fact that he was remembered by so many in such a positive manner, makes him a hero.

If one man never steps forward to show all the others that change is possible, nothing will ever change. When you look back at history of the American civil rights movement, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are still often two of the first names even someone of today’s society may think of. They were, and still are, some of the most influential men to ever live. As young African-American men living during a time of harsh global, but most importantly, national racism and prejudice; teaching effective techniques to achieve peace and equality to others was extremely difficult for Dr. King and Malcolm X.

Nearly three centuries ago, black men and women from Africa were brought to America and put into slavery. They were treated more cruelly in the United States than in any other country that had practiced slavery. African Americans didn’t gain their freedom until after the Civil War, nearly one-hundred years later. Even though African Americans were freed and the constitution was amended to guarantee racial equality, they were still not treated the same as whites and were thought of as second class citizens. One man had the right idea on how to change America, Martin Luther King Jr. had the best philosophy for advancing civil rights, he preached nonviolence to express the need for change in America and he united both African Americans

Throughout history, African Americans have encountered an overwhelming amount of obstacles for justice and equality. You can see instances of these obstacles especially during the 1800’s where there were various forms of segregation and racism such as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan terrorism, Jim- Crow laws, voting restrictions. These negative forces asserted by societal racism were present both pre and post slavery. Although blacks were often seen as being a core foundation for the creation of society and what it is today, they never were given credit for their work although forced. This was due to the various laws and social morals that were sustained for over 100 years throughout the United States. However, what the world didn’t

I think that Muhammed Ali was a very interesting person. How do you say, Muhammed Ali changed the way of practice boxing, changing his movements and using tactics mentally for weaken the opponent. Moreover, he was an excellent influence for the people that fight for the rights of black people.

Racism was a larger issue back in the 1930’s than it is today. During the 1930’s many Black Americans were unable to find jobs. With the Great Depression came the “last hired first fired” mindset. Many African Americans felt that this was targeted towards them (Racial 5). This along with Jim Crow laws kept most blacks in a level of poverty, which added to the discrimination (Racial 7). Throughout this time, all the way up into the 1960’s and 1970’s African Americans were under great segregation. During this thirty years, great strides toward social equality were made, but at the cost of numerous racial driven incidents. Many great African American icons were assassinated during this time. Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965 because he stood up against racial oppression as well as Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated in 1968. Both of these two men were part of the leading force in the desegregation of America (Rosenberg 1). This movement led to great tension between the African American culture and white culture, which led to many very violent cases between the races. A great

courageous act changed America, its view of black people and redirected the course of history.