Throughout history there has been numerous accounts of cultures being oppressed by another. There is one that stands out above all: oppression of African-Americans. However, we do not refer to this era as oppression but rather segregation. Segregation is defined as “a setting apart or separation of people or things from others or from the main body or group,” in this case from Caucasians (“The Definition of Segregation”). From the day the first slaves arrived in America until 1964 when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, African-Americans had been treated unfairly ("Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement, 1850-1970"). From segregated schools, bathrooms, and even sports teams, African-Americans were not given the same privileges as
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African Americans have been participating in sports for just as long as Caucasians. Not so long ago, black athletes were kept from participating with white athletes because of the Jim Crow Laws established in Apart from the common stereotype that “blacks are good at basketball,” there have been many important African-Americans throughout history including Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owens, and Lisa Leslie. However, there are athletes that have changed the face of sports and are pioneers for African-Americans today. Those athletes are none other than Jackie Robinson and Jack …show more content…
Johnson enjoyed brandishing his wealth and disdain for racial rules. He dated white women, drove expensive cars, and spent money freely. In 1912, Johnson was convicted for violating the Mann Act when he brought his girlfriend across state lines before their marriage (“Jack Johnson”). According to Al-Tony Gilmore, “. . .it was felt that the Mann Act charge had grown out of failure to gain substantial evidence on the abduction charge” he was previously faced with (Gilmore). Johnson faced a lot of scrutiny from the white community due to his interaction with “their” women. Jack Johnson died in a car accident on June 10, 1946 and since then his career has been under review; his alleged crimes have been determined the result of racial bias. In 1990 Jack Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (“Jack Johnson”). Johnson’s contribution to civil rights and the integration/equality of sports in America are irrefutable and monumental to the black
African Americans have been participating in sports for just as long as Caucasians. Not so long ago, black athletes were kept from participating with white athletes because of the Jim Crow Laws established in Apart from the common stereotype that “blacks are good at basketball,” there have been many important African-Americans throughout history including Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owens, and Lisa Leslie. However, there are athletes that have changed the face of sports and are pioneers for African-Americans today. Those athletes are none other than Jackie Robinson and Jack …show more content…
Johnson enjoyed brandishing his wealth and disdain for racial rules. He dated white women, drove expensive cars, and spent money freely. In 1912, Johnson was convicted for violating the Mann Act when he brought his girlfriend across state lines before their marriage (“Jack Johnson”). According to Al-Tony Gilmore, “. . .it was felt that the Mann Act charge had grown out of failure to gain substantial evidence on the abduction charge” he was previously faced with (Gilmore). Johnson faced a lot of scrutiny from the white community due to his interaction with “their” women. Jack Johnson died in a car accident on June 10, 1946 and since then his career has been under review; his alleged crimes have been determined the result of racial bias. In 1990 Jack Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (“Jack Johnson”). Johnson’s contribution to civil rights and the integration/equality of sports in America are irrefutable and monumental to the black