Hello Again,
In Gail Bederman's 1995 book Manliness and Civilization: A Cultural History in the United States, 1800-1917 an interesting historical argument about racial sensitivities in the early twentieth century is explored. The 1910 Jack Johnson versus Jim Jefferies heavy weight boxing title match is the setting for Bederman's first chapter. The title fight had Johnson as (black) champion figure versus Jefferies a (white) champion figure. Johnson would win the fight decisively, but was this was also the start of race riots around the country, as well. I tend to think the fight was an instigating factor in these race riots, but social, political, and economic factors also played a key role in the start of these particular riots.
Thanks
I definitely believe that it was one of the reasons for race riots. I feel that an event as large as that boxing match made whites feel embarrased. The white man was supposed to win the match because they believed he fought with his brain rather than emotion, and when Jefferies lost I think white people felt that they had to regain the feeling of dominance which led to riots.
ReplyDeleteThomas,
ReplyDeleteI think an important part of the title that helps answer your comment is "A Cultural History." I think that Bederman would argue that the fight, economics, politics, etc were all part of a larger cultural change/challenge taking place at the turn of the century. "Civilization" played an integral role in the development of American culture. The fight forced white men to face the contradictions within their sense of dominance, and therefore, challenged the existing culture of power. Thoughts?
I like how Bederman used the fight between Jeffries and Johnson to show the hurt (white) male pride that resulted from Johnson's victory. The fight was just a starting point for Bederman to further explain the need for white men (mainly middle class) to "wield power and authority" in the late 19th/early 20th centuries.
ReplyDeleteI felt the fight was used for the opening example to show the shift in power that the white male had exercised over the African race. To me, this seems to be the turning for African-Americans in their long fight for race equality. Had an African-American ever "beaten" a white man before? At least so publicly?
ReplyDelete