Written Response to Champion of the World

Champion of the World is a story written by famed poet and writer Maya Angelou, anecdotally
describing her life as a Black American in the 1930s. Set in her Uncle Willies store, Angelou and many
other Black Americans from all over town, gathered to hear the radio broadcast of Joe Louis title
defense. Joe Louis was a Black American heavyweight boxer, whom had won the title despite the odds
levied against many Black athletes of that time. Angelou and the crowd eagerly tuned into the radio
broadcast of Louis versus a White American contender. During the fight, Angelou could overhear
commentary from some of the audience in the store which included jeers such as He [Louis] gone whip
him till that white boy call him Momma. And slurs about the contenders ethnicity such as I aint
worried bout this fight. Joes gonna whip that cracker like its open season. This is a significant element
of Angelous narration because it describes an era in American history where whites and blacks had a
significant distrust for one another. One can gather that racial strife was rife during this time period. As
the fight progressed into the latter rounds, Louis began to lose ground, which caused concern for
Angelou and the audience in Uncle Willies store. Black Americans hinged much of their collective pride
and identity on the rise and prominence of Joe Louis maintaining the coveted title of boxing champion.
To Angelou and other Black Americans alike, a loss for Joe was a loss for the race; a loss which would in
their minds inevitably relegate Blacks back to a time of sub humanism and slave labor. She laments
deeper, recalling incidences where Black men were hung from trees, Black boys maimed, and Black
women raped with impunity. Just as it appeared that Joe was going to lose the bout, the announcer
states that Joe jolted from the ropes back to the center of the ring, where he began to wear down his
opponent with consecutive blows. Heres the referee. Hes counting. One, two, three Joe has
defeated his opponent and defended his title as heavyweight boxing champion. The crowd in Uncle
Willies store jubilantly celebrated, eating candy and drinking sodas that they purchased from the store.
In spite of the exhilarating joy of victory Black Americans felt as a group, the authentic fear of
persecution persisted in their hearts. Some patrons opted to stay at the store overnight, for fear of
being met by an angry white mob during their travels down country roads. Summarily, this story of
Maya Angelous early life experience provides a glimpse into a dichotomous past in our nation. One
which lessons of triumph or shame can be extracted. The primary lesson I have taken away from it is a
deep appreciation for the sacrifice and challenges our fore parents made for the betterment of their
future progeny. And I say that with no specific race in mind because while Black Americans faced
challenges, as did many White Americans with World War 2 looming or already happening. And the
great depression stifling homes throughout America irrespective of group affiliation.

For Discussion
1. Did Joe Louis feel the burden of having an entire nation of people dependent upon him for their
pride and identity?

2. Do people still view popular figures in the media today with the same lenses of racial loyalty or
are people judged purely on merit?