Jack Johnson's Life: A Study of Race, Success, and Downfall Explored

This essay explores the life of Jack Johnson, as portrayed in "Unforgivable Blackness," highlighting his role as a symbol of hope for Black Americans during a time of intense racial discrimination. Johnson's achievements, including being the first Black American invited to the White House and becoming a Heavyweight Boxing Champion, challenged racial stereotypes and promoted equality. The essay also addresses his personal flaws, such as pride, and his advocacy for gender equality. Despite the challenges and criticisms he faced, Johnson's story encourages individuals to pursue their goals relentlessly, regardless of societal barriers. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of equality and the need to overcome racial and gender prejudices.

Running head: JACK JOHNSON LIFE 1
Jack Johnson Life
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Institution

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Jack Jacksons Life
Jack Jackson life as portrayed in the movie “Unforgivable Blackness” shows that he is
a go-getter; Jack Jackson brought great hope to the black Americans. Black Americans were
discriminated over the whites and they were never recognized. Jack Jackson did not restrict
himself and worked hard to show the whites that the black Americans also had potential in
themselves and that they should be given chances to show what they are capable of. Jack
Johnson was the first black American to be invited to the white house (Kroger, 2012); this
brought hopes to the blacks as they knew that their ways have started to open. Jack Jackson
also worked hard to eliminate the gap between the whites and the blacks as he wanted them
to know that despite color different the blacks were also capable of doing great things as he
himself did.
The movie Unforgivable Blackness shows the rise and the fall of Jack Johnson,
despite Jack achieving much in life he was carried out by the pride which made him fall
many times. Jack was also against gender inequality and advocated for equality as he termed
people as equal and that they should be given equal chances. The key thing in Jack Johnson’s
life is that people should not be limited to their color or sex but people should work hard to
get what they want in life. People should also not live in fear of others and inequality should
come to an end as all people are equal despite their color or gender different. This film is well
made as it shows how a person can rise and fall, thus as humans, we should not be greedy or
be full of pride as nobody knows about tomorrow.
Students Post
During Jack Johnson’s life, black Americans life wasn’t easy as they were being
criticized and their life was hard as they were seen as less fortunate and denied many
opportunities just because of their black color. Jack Johnson was an African American and he
paved the way for the African Americans by being the first black to participate in the

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Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1908 (Ward, 2004). Through jack winning the boxing he
was able to prove the white Americans wrong that the African Americans were also strong
and deserved the same equal life as they were living; by doing this Jack Johnson’s was
against racism an wanted an end to racism. Jack Jackson victory was received positively by
the blacks but the whites receive the news negatively showing how they despised blacks.
Jack Johnson cared less as he went ahead and broke the greatest racial taboo by
marrying three white women’s and sleeping with more. Despite being lots of challenges the
blacks faced jack was able to stand out and challenge the decisions the whites implemented
against the Africans Americans. What motivates me in this film is how Jack Johnson’s was
able to live his life the way he wanted despite all the racial problems as he was able to
acquire expensive cars, women, good house, and nice clothes that the blacks could not have
at that time. Thus from Johnson's story people should work hard and get what they want and
should not restrict their efforts even when the surrounding is discouraging.

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References
Kroger, Bill. (2012). Hunter, Michelle, ed. "The Making of Jack Johnson". Texas Bar
Journal. Austin, TX: State Bar of Texas.
Ward, Geoffrey. (2004). Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. New
York.