Boxer
Jack Johnson became the first African American to win the World Heavyweight Championship back in 1908. During the height of his worldwide fame, Johnson made no secret of his affinity for white women, and as anyone knows, a lot of people, both black and white, disapproved of his dalliances in those days. He was married three times, each time to a white woman. When he married his second wife,
Lucille Cameron, two white Southern ministers called for Johnson to be lynched.
Instead, Johnson was arrested in 1912 on charges of violating the Mann Act, which prohibited "transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes." He was accused of doing that with Cameron, who was apparently a prostitute. Cameron refused to cooperate with the courts, though, so the prosecution had no case. A month later, Johnson was arrested again on similar charges. The prosecution was able to get testimony from Belle Schreiber, another prostitute that Johnson was apparently with in 1909 and 1910.
Johnson was convicted in June 1913 and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. He skipped bail and lived abroad in Canada, Europe and South America for seven years before returning to the United States and turning himself in.
It's widely believed that the charges were just a way to punish Johnson for his interracial relationships. In that regard, Senators
John McCain and
Peter King are trying to get President
Barack Obama to give Johnson a presidential pardon but have not yet heard a response.
"Regrettably, we have not received a response from you or any member of your administration," they wrote in a letter to the administration,
according to the Associated Press, adding that they hoped that Obama would be eager to "right this wrong and erase an act of racism that sent an American citizen to prison."
The White House declined to comment on the issue, but McCain understands that Obama is dealing with more pressing issues at the moment.
"The president's been very, very busy," McCain said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. "Hopefully, this letter will be a kind of reminder that it's important to get it done. But I'm not critical of the president yet. We'll give him some time."
A petition to pardon Johnson, which was organized by filmmaker Ken Burns, was originally filed with the Justice Department in 2004. Burns' 2005 documentary, 'Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson,' looked closely at the entire case.
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This Week in Black History: October 18-24, 2009
Jack Johnson wasn't the only black celebrity who was pursued by the government because he offended mainstream sensibilities. Actor Paul Robeson had his passport revoked for years over his leftist political views. Find out what Robeson and others were doing this week in black history.
Herbert Gehr, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
Getty Images AsiaPac
BlackVoices.com
October 20, 1971
Calvin 'Snoop Dogg' Broadus was born in Long Beach, California. Snoop came to fame with the release of his seminal work 'Doggystyle' in 1993. This album was the first debut LP to reach No. 1 on the pop charts upon its release.
Greetsia Tent, WireImage
October 20, 1955
Harry Belafonte recorded 'Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)' for his album 'Calypso' (1956). 'Day-O' is a traditional Jamaican folk song with many versions. Belafonte's hit helped popularize calypso music around the world. His 'Calypso' album was first LP that sold over 1 million copies.
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
October 20, 1955
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. Gillespie would go on to become one of the most respected and legendary innovators of bebop jazz. He toured and performed until his death in 1993.
Keystone / Getty Images
October 24, 1970
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women was founded in New York City by entrepreneur Jewell Jackson McCabe, pictured here. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women now provides mentoring, networking and professional development opportunities to African American women across the U.S., its numbers far exceeding 100.
AP
October 24, 1948
Kweisi Mfume was born Frizzell Gray in Silver Spring, Maryland. As a young man, Mfume provided financial support for his siblings after his mother died as a teen. (His father had abandoned the family in his youth.) Despite difficult beginnings, he went on to attain a masters degree in international studies, was a U.S. congressman and served as the president of the NAACP.
Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images
October 19, 1943
The classic play 'Othello' opened at the Shubert Theater in New York City starring Paul Robeson in the title role. A huge success, the show ran for 296 consecutive performances, setting a record for a Shakespearean drama on Broadway.
Herbert Gehr, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
October 20, 2006
The history of the Tuskegee Airmen, America's first military unit of black aviators, was added to the official curriculum of the United States Air Force Officers Training School. All future leaders of the Air Force will now visit historic sites, watch films and learn from historic personages related to the experiences of these legendary fighters.
USAAF / AP
October 23, 1947
The NAACP made an official appeal to the United Nations, asking the international community to address the horrors of racism in the United States. Entitled "An Appeal to the World," this petition was prepared and presented by W.E.B. Du Bois.
AP
October 24, 1935
Langston Hughes' play 'Mulatto' became the first play written by an African American to become a Broadway hit. One of the literary stars of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes used his production to explore the experiences of mixed-race blacks.
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
Lash Extensions 101: Faux And Fabulous
Happy Birthday, Mr. T!
Comments: (148)
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By: CWP on 10/21/2009 4:17PM
Not sure about his boxing career, but I think Jack Johnson's music is pretty cool. Nice to listen to when you want to chill out.
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By: E. Martinez on 10/21/2009 4:24PM
It's so refreshing to see that people are actually questioning McCain's MOTIVES in this!!! Not to mention the fact that some of you are digging a little deeper!! Hat's off to YOU!!!!
And to those who rated my fist post.... THANK YOU!!
Peace
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By: mammothman on 10/21/2009 5:57PM
I am not sure Johnson should be pardoned. As we know, he did break the law and jumped bail. Now whether or not it was racism(allowing white people to do the same)that made them arrest him, his arrest was justified. The article states that it was believed that he was charged as a punishment for being with white women.
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By: Hershel on 10/21/2009 4:58PM
Don't take the bait Obama. The republicans and their supporters will use this to justify their "he has a deep hatred for white people" rhetoric. If McCain wants him pardoned then let a white man or woman do it. I would say a republican president but we may never see another one of those.
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By: AJM33771 on 10/21/2009 5:05PM
That's what happens when messing around with those crazy white women. LOL Considering the crap that he was put through, Jack Johnson deserves a pardon.
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By: BERNARD on 10/21/2009 5:11PM
MC CAIN HAS SOME NERVES AS ONE SAID BEFORE WHY DIDN'T HE ASK BUSH SR. AND JR. TO HANDEL IT WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE EVEN FORMER PRES. CLINTON ITS A POLITICAL STUNT OR HE WANTS SOME ASSOCIATED PRES ATTENTION OR MAYBE IT WASN'T ON HIS MIND AT THE TIME LETS BE REAL DO YOU REALLY THINK FOR ONCE THAT SENATOR YES I SAID SENATOR NOT PRESIDENT MC CAIN REALLY CARES ABOUT JACK JOHNSON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS...YOU REALLY DON'T WANT MY ANSWER....
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By: bozo binfanorka on 10/21/2009 9:58PM
I'm sure Johnson gives a rat's popo about the pardon....he's dead.
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By: Rick on 10/21/2009 5:37PM
Why should the president answer your question, when you can not even answer the people who put you in office, Sen McCain. Instead of doing this, probably for free tickets from King, you should help people who are losing their houses because of your party's political views of the last 8 years.
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By: yellowlab1002 on 10/21/2009 7:23PM
And while McCain is asking the "Chosen One" for shit perhaps he could ask for a job for about 10% of the American population that's unemployed.
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By: laughing @ stupid on 10/21/2009 5:38PM
what is mccain worrued about this for ???? and why would obama do anything thisfreek of a man wants lets work on issues that you all were elected for geeeeezzzzzzz sicking how you people take the usa for granted get to work or get out .
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