theGrio

Back to the Top

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • Health
    • Ask Dr. Ty
    • Black Men’s Health
    • Black Women and Breast Cancer
    • Back to School Health
  • Living
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Living Forward
    • Books
  • Politics
    • Perry on Politics
  • Sports
  • News
    • Good News
  • Opinion

News

Statue of famed boxer Jack Johnson sparks controversy

by Jaquen Castellanos | June 29, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Comments
Print

Related Posts

  • Lawmakers seek pardon for Jack Johnson (again)
  • Jack Johnson: 1st black heavyweight champ's family wants pardon
  • 90 years ago, Jack Johnson sought his own pardon
  • Fans fight for pardon of boxer Jack Johnson
  • Will Jack Johnson be pardoned on Obama's watch?

Galveston Texas is home to many wood statues carved out of trees killed in hurricane Ike. The newest addition to the family of carvings is a statue of the famed boxer and Galveston native Jack Johnson. This statue is a point of contention for some Hoak sub-division neighbors, who claim that it creates too much traffic in their residential area.

WATCH LOCALS COMMENTING ON THE STATUE’S PLACEMENT HERE

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Other home owners, like Helen Douglas, believe it is Johnson’s history that makes some want to re-locate the statue. When asked if she saw a problem with traffic due to the statue, Douglas replied “not at all, the way you see it right now is basically the way it is,” as she pointed to a nearly empty road. In 1908 Johnson became the first black man to earn the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World. He also ignored racial taboos by dating white woman in an era filled with racial violence.

Opponents of the statue’s placement were not readily available for comment, but homeowner Rory Prue did say that although he did not mind the statue, it might be better served elsewhere. Whether the statue will move or stay is now up to the Galveston housing authority.

  • Next Story:

    Kwanzaa Fest founder under financial scrutiny

  • aerosoul.jpg
    Previous Story:

    Do you have AeroSoul?

Filed in: Black History, Black History, News, Top Stories, Video | Related Topics: Boxer, Galveston, Jack Johnson, Racial Bias, Statue
  • Learn about our User Panel

    Read More
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • Obama pledges help after deadly Okla. tornado Obama pledges help after deadly Okla. tornado
    • First lady: Too many ‘fantasize about being a baller or a rapper’ First lady: Too many ‘fantasize about being a baller or a rapper’
    • White House aides learned of IRS details in April, but didn’t tell Obama White House aides learned of IRS details in April, but didn’t tell Obama
    • Is Floyd Mayweather causing his baby mama drama? Is Floyd Mayweather causing his baby mama drama?
    • ‘X-Factor’ close to signing Kelly Rowland as judge
    • Obama to visit South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania
    • Plaxico Burress launches luxury sock line
    • Beam her up: Gabby Douglas is back in the gym
  • What Your Friends Are Reading

  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • Glenn Beck

    Glenn Beck: NAACP ‘a joke’, Tea Partiers like ‘white lynching victims’

  • Black pastor vs. Obama at Morehouse

  • The big irony in the IRS 'scandal'

  • President, first lady address HBCU graduates

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • Tiger Woods

    Tiger Woods makes a comeback on the course, and in video game sales

  • A timeless classic: Top career lessons from ‘The Great Gatsby’

  • Boyz II Men appear in new Old Navy commercial

  • An open letter to PepsiCo on the Mountain Dew ad

» Read More in Business

Living

  • Black anti-abortion advocates

    Black anti-abortion activists see 'houses of horror' everywhere

  • Charmin bear charms autistic boy

  • Candice Glover’s Gullah roots

  • Tamar Braxton addresses bleaching rumors

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • Identical twins Kirstie and Kristie Bronner (Photo courtesy of Bronner family)

    Twins named Spelman valedictorians

  • DC Central Kitchen helps people struggling to join workforce

  • Man refuses to let disability hamper ability to teach

  • 'Supermom' dedicates her life to foster kids

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • Kanye West

    WATCH: Kanye West performs on SNL

  • WATCH: 'Pacific Rim' official trailer

  • Beyoncé pregancy rumors reach fever pitch

  • Kardashian's high heels take a toll on her swollen feet, ankles

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • DeCoatsworth

    'Hero' cop who sat beside first lady, facing rape charges

  • Full text: President Obama's Morehouse speech

  • Mourners remember Malcolm X's grandson

  • New Orleans' love affair with guns, in 'black and white'

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Living
  • Video
  • Inspire
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2013 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP