Now, 100 years after Johnson’s reign, there is a movement on Capitol Hill, endorsed by none other than Senator John McCain, for a posthumous presidential pardon for Jack Johnson.
“We need to erase this act of racism which sent an American citizen to prison on a trumped-up charge,” McCain said, adding, “I have great confidence this president will be more than eager to sign this legislation and pardon Jack Johnson.”
Due to segregation in America, Johnson had to win the world title in Australia and then bring it back to the United States. For over a decade after the turn of the century Jack Johnson was the most notorious black man in the world. His flamboyant lifestyle and decadent behavior enraged white America and the search for, what was then labeled, the “Great White Hope” was on; someone who could bring the title back to white America.
Former undefeated champion James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to fight Johnson stating, “I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro.”
On July 4, 1910, Jeffries corner called it quits in the 15th round after being knocked down twice. The fight landed Johnson $225,000, but set off massive race riots around the country.
Unable to find a worthy opponent, authorities then used the law to bring Johnson down. He was charged and convicted of bringing a prostitute across state lines.
Johnson fled the country to avoid the one year and one day jail term and lived in exile for seven years. After living in France and Mexico, Johnson returned to America and served his sentence. He died in a car crash in 1946 after angrily speeding off from a restaurant that didn’t serve blacks.
So far, attempts to exonerate Johnson have gained momentum but have come up short. For Johnson’s soul to rest in peace, the ultimate pardon will come from the Man upstairs, but for now the legal decision is on the desk of President Barack Obama.
–lenn durant
