It seems to have escaped attention in recent stories about John McCain's efforts to clear the name of Jack Johnson, but the first black heavyweight boxing champ was a Bakersfield resident. Johnson, who was sent to prison because of his friendship with a white woman named Lucille Cameron, who would later become his wife, lived in the southern San Joaquin Valley from 1901 to perhaps 1911, off and on.
Johnson was convicted in 1913 of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport a woman across state lines for immoral purposes. McCain wants Barack Obama to grant Johnson a pardon almost 100 years after the fact.
The story of Johnson's connection to Bakersfield is here. The tale plays out like a great screenplay (in need of a screenwriter).
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Why doesn't he do somthing beneficial for the present? Hollow gesture, pandering for a legacy. It makes me sick that he took Goldwaters seat in the Senate. What a hack!
ReplyDeleteA former resident of Bakersfield I could not help but take note that Johnson resided in my dear hometown sometime early in the last century. Once I heard a rumor that he lived at an or near the southernmost part of Oleander (near Brundage?), at the time probably one of the more outlying areas. Can anyone confirm a specific address? Were there multiple addresses ?
ReplyDeleteAs long as we're on the subject, does anyone know where Earl Warren lived?
Thanks
HR
Los Altos, CA