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Post by Freedom on Jan 11, 2010 3:12:04 GMT -5
Jack Johnson (1878–1946), boxing's first black heavyweight champion, was a lightning rod for controversy in early 20th-century America. Even many of his fellow African-Americans resented his unapologetic dominance of the ring and steady succession of white girlfriends and wives, viewing his behavior as a setback to race relations. He defeated the greatest boxers of his day, infuriating white audiences - who were determined to find "the great white hope". Based upon the nonfiction book of the same name by Geoffrey C. Ward (2004), it was first broadcast on PBS in two parts in January, 2005. In Ken Burns signature style the film serves as a biography of Jack Johnson, as well as a documentary of racism and social inequality during the Jim Crow era against which Jack Johnson lived in defiant opposition. ipb.quicksilverscreen.com/index.php?showtopic=183687
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Post by az on May 7, 2010 18:27:23 GMT -5
I still haven't seen this. Once upon a time a few of us were discussing Jack and how he was constantly harassed because he refused to bow to the racist morons trying to keep him in 'his place'. There was a push to have his charge sheet wiped when this documentary came out and most of us agreed. Our old mate Tomato Can suggested the record should stay as it is, as a reminder of what Jack had to put up with. Brilliant thinking TC
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