America, not Johnson needs pardon (black boxer Jack Johnson)

Aberdeen American News ^ | January 19, 2005 | Leonard Pitts, Jr.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Yes, that was a pretty inapt metaphor.

In his defense, I don't believe that he intentionally meant to draw the comparison between Jack Johnson, the human being, and O.J. Simpson.

Rather, I believe that he was reaching for an example of a similar case, i.e. a prominent black professional athlete who was married to a beautiful white woman.

However, the way the statement was phrased made it appear as if the author was placing Jack Johnson and O.J. Simpson on the same moral plain, which-had that been his intention-would have been a simply ludricous comparison.

[Airborne1986]

"And if he was attracted to a white woman and she to him, he saw no reason they should not be together."

Whatever. I don't begrudge anybody a good time. But, I don't think we need to make the guy out to be Nathan Hale because he got alot of play.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Some people are just ahead of their time.

Gene Roddenberry, creator of "Star Trek" was way ahead of his time.

Black Sabbath--that rock group created music in 1969-1970 that would spin heads today when first heard and laid the ground work for 35 years of hard rock.

Jack Johnson, who honestly believed he was born free and he acted free. If Jack Johnson were alive and young today, he would be called the second coming of Ali and would be one of the most popular celebrities, having all kinds of Hollyweird starlets hanging all over him.

Jack lived a century ahead of his day.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain:

(Frown.)

[LibertarianInExile]

Actually, if you'd watched the program with as rapt attention as I did, you would have noted that they discussed the Mann act quite a bit.

---Got me there. I've just read a bit about it and Johnson, haven't yet had the opportuinity to see it, and I got the impression it was short on Mann Act discussion beyond where it affected JJ. That'll learn me to spout off about Burns' thoroughness. :)

As I noted in a previous post # 48, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1324837/posts?page=48#48 the Mann act was written to help control the scourge of White Slavery (prostitution). It was used, contrary to the original intent of the authors, to persecute Johnson in this case.

---Now, that we disagree with. The statute was written to allow prosecutions for crossing with 'immoral purposes,' including 'debauchery,' which basically meant then and means now gettin' some when you oughten'ta. Wilson v. United States was only five years after the "White Slavery Act," and it did just what the liberals wanted.

I got the impression, from the documentary, that his was the first case of this sort. Once the FBI figured out they could get away with it, they began using it much more often in cases not involving prostitution.

---You can check out http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/knockout/mann.html for more info on that. Johnson might have been the first black-on-white situation, dunno, but there were certainly other non-prostitution situations first.

[Fabozz]

"We are probably a nation of historical illiteracy..."

Don't you believe it. History books are nationwide best-sellers. We have not one but multiple TV channels—commercial TV channels, supported exclusively through private-sector advertising and subscription revenue—dedicated to historical documentaries. Per capita, no nation is as well-educated in history (or any other subject) as the United States.

Liberals like to claim we're ignorant of history, under the pretense that we must be ignorant of history, because if we really knew what our forefathers did we'd ratify Kyoto, vote Green and hand the entire nation west of the Mississippi back to the Indians out of shame. It's just another manifestation of the "conservatives are stupid" meme.

[Mr. Mojo]

I doubt Tyson would be as far down the list as you think.

Tyson in his prime relied mainly on intimidation to win his fights, and none of the fighters on my list would be intimidated in the slightest. Also, if this hypothetical round robin tournament happened as I described, his mental state would be pathetic by about his 3rd or 4th fight (after getting beat badly once or twice), and he'd quickly be reduced to his ear-munching self as a result.

The guys who would finish at or near the top of such a competition would have mental toughness in spades, and Tyson just doesn't cut it.

[beckett]

Ken Burns has produced nothing but crap since his work on The Civil War, until he brought us Unforgiveable Blackness. Johnson was a fascinating, flawed character and Burns rendered his story well.

[M. Espinola]

Overdue justice:

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., speaks during a news conference supporting a posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion who was convicted in 1913 in a case based on his consensual relationship with a white woman, Wednesday, April 6th, 2005, in Washington. Behind King are Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, left, president of the Joint Association of Boxers, referee Richard Steele, a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and former boxing champion Iran Barkley, right. A lifesize photo of Johnson is at right. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

[EveningStar]

Thanks for the update. :)

[artifax]

How dare you post a writing that will no doubt receive a large number of responses that are in complete agreement. Kindly include me in that number and in your fan club.