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| Jack, Jackie, and Barry |
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In a recent book, President Obama named Jackie Robinson, a man who
became a notable first in American history, as an inspirational figure
in his life. He cited Robinson as being one of those "People who have
made bright lights shine by sharing their unique gifts and giving us the
courage to lift one another up, to keep up the fight, to work and build
upon all that is good in our nation." President Obama likes sports; he
plays basketball regularly and often discusses sports in general when
engaging in a relaxed conversation. |
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There is another Jack who achieved a notable first in American history:
heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. Johnson was the first black
heavyweight boxing champion in American history. Johnson arrived on the
sports scene long before Jackie Robinson, in an atmosphere even more
hostile to his pursuit of his chosen profession. However, on his way to
the top, he reacted to those who tried to hold him back and diminish his
accomplishments in an entirely different way than Robinson employed. |
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Robinson gritted his teeth and bore gratuitous insults and biased
opposition with outward equanimity and stoic acceptance and went about
his job without overt reaction to the deplorable excesses of his
detractors. Johnson, on the other hand, thumbed his nose at his
denigrators, subscribing to the ‘If you got it, flaunt it’ school. But
then, neither was President of the United States. The President can't go
too far in either direction; too far one way and he’s seen as a wimp,
too far the other and he’s called dictatorial. |
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However, I’m dismayed by the bourgeoning fear President Obama, in spite
of being an intelligent, learned, and principled man, too often can’t
seem to discern the difference between compromise and capitulation.
Obama, I fear, has too much Robinson in his makeup and not nearly enough
- no pun intended - Johnson. |
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© T.P. Woodfork 12/4/2010 |
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