Jack Johnson And Paul Robeson's Impact On African American Culture

Final Project Outline The topic of my final project as related to Arts as related to African American Culture influences In the United States, is the influence sports have had. I have chosen Jack Johnson and Paul Robeson, both of whom had major impact on African American Culture and the larger American Culture and society. Coming from different cultural and family lineage, both of these great athletes were affected by the American Culture and society, but both changed the world of sports and the society with their skills and expertise. Robeson used sports as one of the avenues to propel himself to additional means of cultural expression such as debating, acting, and singing. Robeson was imbued with a social consciousness’ and responsibility that came along with that impetus and used it to advance all oppressed people to an elevation of equal status with those who deemed themselves superior. Jack Johnson, diametrically opposite from Robeson in versatility and social consciousness, nevertheless influenced African American Culture and help to destroy the myth and stereotype that Black men were inferior to Whites athletically and intellectually. Additionally, in contemporary times, the influx of African

Johnson’s exploits led to arguments within the Black community and a backlash against African Americans throughout the country because of his success defeating White opponents, and his relationships with White women. The idea of a Black man actually marrying or dating a White women in the context of the prevailing racist views prevalent throughout America, was too much for the status quo to take, and led to a relentless pursuit of law enforcement against Johnson which eventually was concluded by Johnson losing his Heavyweight title, freedom and