On The Shoulders Of Giants : ThroughlineWhen Colin Kaepernick stopped standing for the national anthem at NFL games it sparked a nationwide conversation about patriotism and police brutality. Black athletes using their platform to protest injustice has long been a tradition in American history. In this episode we explore three stories of protest that are rarely told but essential to understanding the current debate: the heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson, the sprinter Wilma Rudolph, and the basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
Jack Johnson (right) world heavyweight champion since 1908, loses his title to fellow American fighter Jess Willard (left) in Havana, Cuba, in 1915.
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Jack Johnson with his first wife, Etta Terry Duryea in 1910. Johnson was later arrested in 1912 for traveling across state lines with his white girlfriend, Lucille Cameron, who later became his second wife.
Library of Congress
Jack Johnson and his "golden smile". After Johnson won the boxing heavyweight championship title, American writer Jack London openly called for a "great white hope" to defeat Johnson. London appealed to a former heavyweight champion: "Jim Jeffries must now emerge from his Alfalfa farm and remove that golden smile from Jack Johnson's face. Jeff, it's up to you. The White Man must be rescued."
Library of Congress
Wilma Rudolph at the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, where she won the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints in August 3, 1960. At the age of four she was diagnosed with polio and had to walk with a brace. Just twelve years later she won an Olympic medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Getty Images
Wilma Rudolph (middle) standing on the awards stand with competitors Dorothy Hyman (left) and G. Leone (right) after winning the gold medal in the 200m sprint at the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. She was the first ever woman to run the 200m event in less than 23 seconds.
Hulton Deutsch/Getty Images
Wilma Rudolph crosses the finish line of the 4 X100m event and wins a total of three gold medals at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. After retiring, Wilma fought to integrate restaurants in her hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee.
AFP/Getty Images
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets shields the ball against the Portland Trailblazers in January 18, 1994.
Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images
Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf bows his head in prayer during the singing of the national anthem before playing the Chicago Bulls on March 15, 1996. Abdul-Rauf was suspended for one game after refusing to stand for the national anthem, but reached a compromise with the NBA.
Eric Chu/AFP/Getty Images
1 of 8
When Colin Kaepernick stopped standing for the national anthem at NFL games it sparked a nationwide conversation about patriotism and police brutality. Black athletes using their platform to protest injustice has long been a tradition in American history. In this episode we explore three stories of protest that are rarely told but essential to understanding the current debate: the heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson, the sprinter Wilma Rudolph, and the basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
If you would like to read more about these athletes:
