RSS
Home
Joe Louis: A Veterans Day tribute to an American hero
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Joe Louis poses while heavyweight champion.
For days I’ve seen many celebrations chronicling those who served their country but none featured any African Americans. There hasn’t been a major war in this country where African Americans didn’t contribute. During the Civil War, World I, World II and Vietnam African Americans were there. Today African Americans are in Afghanistan and Iraq.
With today being Veterans Day I deemed it necessary to acknowledge a military man who represented their country. He also happened to be one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Joseph Louis Barrow, known to the world as Joe Louis, was one of the greatest fighters of all time. Louis dominated the heavyweight division in holding the title for just shy of 12 years holding the title from 1938-1949.
Louis was the first African-American athlete hailed as an American hero. The late Jimmy Cannon was one of the marquee writers during the Golden Age of Sports. Cannon said of Louis, “he was credit to his race, the human race.”
While Louis was at the apex of his career as champion he opted to serve his country. He served in the United States Army from 1942-1945. During Louis’ tenure he took some ridicule from the African American community. Every major sector of life for African Americans faced segregation. The military wasn’t exempt.
Despite the latter Louis loved his country. When asked why he entered the army Louis he issued the following: "Lots of things are wrong with America, but Hitler ain't going to fix them."
To demonstrate his love for his country Louis did something many athletes like who served their country like Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musical and Ted Williams didn’t do: Louis not only gave his time he gave his money.
In 1942 Louis fought twice before officially entering in the Army. In his fight against Abe Simon Louis donated his purse of $36,146.00 to the Army Relief Fund. From his fight with Buddy Baer he gave his $47,000.00 purse to the Navy Relief Fund.
Louis generosity and love for his country would come back to haunt him. The same government and country he served and donated nearly $100,000.00 to would pursue him for back taxes. The IRS treated the money Louis donated as income resulting in the money being taxed.
How hypocritical for a country who professes freedom, justice and equality to treat a man so unfairly.
Despite being the heavyweight champion of the world, donating his money and time Louis wasn’t exempt from blatant racism in the military. In a camp in Alabama an MP officer ordered Louis to sit at the back of the bus. He refused the MP’s orders. After a skirmish ensued Louis kept ultimately kept his seat.
Louis was a Private First Class when he entered Army but was faced with second-class treamtment. Though Louis was serving his country he was in a segregated Army. The segregation that existed in the military was merely a reflection of the institutionalized racism in society and American sports.
Louis’ tenure in the military ended Oct. 1, 1945. As Louis left the military and prepared for an a second fight with Billy Conn he faced an IRS bill that was mounting. He was in debt and needed to fight.
Louis skills clearly eroded while serving in the military. Nevertheless he served his country. He fought on trying to pay back a debt that should’ve never been.
Joe Louis was an American hero during a time when America was ripe with racism. Racism battled social inequality, represented his country and was one of the great fighters of all time.
As we celebrate veterans today I think it’s important to look beyond whats being disseminated in the media. As usual there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
- drttcd@gmail.com
