BLACK FIGHTERS & THE IDEA OF A 'GREAT WHITE HOPE' (AN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE) -FULL-

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Full Documentary Exploring Racism In American Sports/Boxing + Commentary Included. BASED On A PBS Article. **Subscriber Request**. #SUBSCRIBE Articles/PAGES: http://www.ibhof.com/pages/archives/johnsonjeffries.html http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128245468 There's probably no more charged phrase in all of the American lexicon than "the great white hope," signifying the pride of one race over another. The phrase itself came into existence almost exactly 100 years ago in the era of Jack Johnson, the great American heavyweight fighter who happened to be black. Though black and white boxers often matched up, at that time the world heavyweight championship remained a "whites only" proposition. That a black could challenge a white in the squared circle, let alone defeat him, was simply too incendiary to be allowed. In fact, reigning world heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries chose to retire rather than risk losing the title to Johnson in the ring. But Johnson, a guy who basically lived his life with a metaphorical middle finger raised in the air, wasn't about to be relegated to being the "Negro" champ. He literally chased Canadian champion Tommy Burns around the globe for nearly two years until Burns gave Johnson his shot. On Dec. 26, 1908, the two met in Sydney. Fourteen rounds later, the fight was stopped for fear of a white riot at the sight of Burns getting beaten so badly. Johnson was crowned the first black world heavyweight champ. Well, now, this "injustice" could not stand. A champion of the cause had to be found to win back the title. Which brings us to Jack No. 2. Jack London, the noted American writer who summed up all the collective teeth-gnashing going on by openly calling for a "great white hope" to step up and win back their race's pride. Racism is real. Racism hurts. Racism still exists. That being said, the degree to which the black community experiences racism in America today is markedly different than it was 60 years ago. That is a fact. We’ve grown more inclusive as a nation. Intrapersonal micro-aggressions, biased hiring practices and systemic voter suppression tactics are some of the many modern day testaments to the continued persecution of African-Americans, but it’s objectively less horrible than what Muhammad Ali faced growing up in 1950s Kentucky. Floyd Mayweather Jr. does a disservice to all that Ali had to overcome by categorically equating his own struggle to that of older boxers from the Jim Crow south. Speaking with Stephen A. Smith from the comfort of his Bentley, Floyd Mayweather Jr. continued to malign Manny Pacquiao-supporter Muhammad Ali by diminishing his lifetime of humanitarian and athletic achievements.