Jack Johnson and Babe Didrikson both were not stereotypical for they’re time. Jack Johnson was an African American boxer, and Babe Didrikson was a groundbreaking female athlete. Both were able to reveal Americas’ ideas on race and gender in the twentieth centaury.
Jack Johnson was a heavyweight champion from 1908-1915, a time in which African Americans were still seen as subordinates (Unforgivable Blackness). In the early 1900’s African Americans were not put on a pedestal, in fact it was quite the opposite. They were often ridiculed, feared, and criminalized, and unfortunately Johnson’s reputation didn’t deviate far from that norm. Except, he was the heavy weight champion in the time of emerging professional sports. Therefore, the media was constantly writing about him, his personal life, and professional career. He captivated America. Johnson didn’t seem to be concerned with what whites had to say about him. He was too focused, smart, and talented in the boxing ring. Johnsons personal life was quite complicated, and second to his race I belief it is why whites frowned on him. He was open about his extramarital affairs and being the smart man he was…show more content… Babe illustrated the unjust nature of the Olympic games by making the cut to compete in five track and field events, but only being allowed to compete in three. In the 1932 Olympics she took home three medals, two gold and one silver, all in Track and Field. She was an unconventional woman, one that would not conform to societies norms. Instead she was an athlete, excelling in both men’s and women’s sports, including golf. In her golfing career she was able to earn 82 tournaments. In a time where women were seen as physically and mentally unable to compete in athletics Babe proved that women were just as competent as men. I believe Babe revealed to America that women are both physically and mentally able to compete in sports, just like
