January 2019 VINTAGE TIMES Vintage Park Apartments, 810 East Van Buren, Lenox, IA 50851 Vintageparkapts.com 641-333-2233 Joe Louis: A Humbled Hero The shadow of Jack Johnson was the anvil on which Joe Louis’ career was forged. His By: managers, fearful of racial sentiment against their Doug Junker fighter, held Joe to a strict code of conduct that demanded he live a clean life, prohibited him from gloating over fallen opponents and forbade him from ever having his picture taken with a white In the annals of boxing history few woman. Joe Louis responded by subjugating his heavyweights have garnered the respect that has pride, demonstrating humility and exhibiting good been given to Joe Louis. As a boxer, Louis was sportsmanship in all matters. By the time he won known for his quick hands, slick footwork, killer- the title in 1937, Louis had earned the respect of instinct, and his notoriously hard punches. When white America and with the advent of World War he fought James J. Braddock for the title in 1937, II, that respect would grow to boarder love. he would knock Braddock out with an 8th round punch that forced Braddock’s teeth through his Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl mouthpiece (and lip) and render him unconscious Harbor, he volunteered to fight a charity boxing for several minutes. Louis went on to own the title match for the benefit of the Naval Relief Fund, the for nearly 12 years and would successfully defend event raised $47,000 for the cause. The next day he it 25 times. By any physical measure, Joe Louis enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Upton, Long was a great champion; but by any human measure, Island. A few months later he would fight another he might have been an even better person. charity match, raising an additional $36,000. In all, Joe Louis had responded to his nation’s call by From the very beginning of his enlisting in the army and personally raising over professional career, Joe Louis would fight against $90,000 for charities related to the war effort. The racial prejudice. Jack Johnson became the first army took advantage of Joe’s notoriety and, along black heavyweight champion in 1908. Johnson, with Sugar Ray Robinson, had him travel known as the “Galveston Giant” was a huge throughout the U.S. and Europe boosting the morale figure, in and out of the ring. He dominated the of the troops on the front lines and support for the heavyweight division for 7 years and caused war on the home front. He was also tasked with waves within the heavily segregated American encouraging large numbers of black men to enlist. society. Johnson was intelligent, proud and, after winning the championship, completely ambiguous During World War II the U.S. Army was as to how his penchant for speaking his mind and fully segregated and racial prejudice and spending time with white women (he married three discrimination were dominate features of the armed of them) inflamed feelings of racial hatred. This forces. Joe’s popularity did not insulate him from hatred led to the search for a “Great White Hope” this racism. Once, Joe and Sugar Ray Robinson a white challenger up to the task of defeating him. were waiting for a bus at an Alabama bus depot In 1915, Jess Willard would knock out Jack when a member of the military police ordered them Johnson, claim the title, and return the power to to move to a bench in the back of the room. Louis the promoters who, for the next 22 years, would refused, and the MP backed down. On other deny black challengers a shot at the title. occasions Louis would use his influence to better Page 2 Vintage Times Joe Louis: A Humbled Hero Cont. the causes of other black soldiers. Once, he helped the ring curtain. After the fight Sugar Ray facilitate applications into Officer Training School Robinson wept for his friend and Marciano for a group of black soldiers whose entrance had personally entered Joe’s locker room to apologize. been inexplicably delayed for months. One of Joe Louis would never fight professionally again. these soldiers was none other than Jackie Robinson, who would later break baseball’s color He would spend the rest of his life working barrier. Joe was once asked about his decision to to pay off his debt. He worked as a greeter at join the racially divided U.S. Army, he famously Caesar’s Palace, was booked as a guest on various responded, “Lots of things wrong with America, game shows, and tried his hand at professional but Hitler ain’t going to fix them.” Despite the wrestling, but in the end, it was not enough. Due hardships and mistreatment Joe never lost faith in to a combination of disgust over how the his country. government had treated him, respect for the champion he had been, and appreciation for After the end of the war, and his discharge kindness he shown others, many outsiders stepped from the army, Louis received notice from the IRS up to assist him in his later years. Former champ, that he owed the government over $100,000 in Jack Dempsey served as an honorary chairman of taxes and fees assigned to the money he had raised a fund set up to assist Louis and friend, and fighting charity events for the war effort. reported mobster, Frank Lucas paid off a portion Although he never received payment for these of his debt. The great German heavyweight Max bouts the government was considering them Schmeling, who had beat Louis in 1936 and lost in income; Joe would have to fight on. He was still a a rematch in 1938, personally provided him with good fighter, but it was obvious that the years had financial assistance throughout his retirement. taken a toll. He was not as quick as he once was, and younger fighters routinely beat him to the Despite his hardships, Joe Louis never punch. In March of 1949, Joe Louis officially wavered. He never became bitter, expressed anger retired from boxing but in May 1950, the IRS publicly, or demonstrated disrespect to anyone. completed a second audit of his taxes. This audit His ability to balance great strength and humility showed he owed more than $500,000 in back taxes was instrumental in establishing himself as the first and fees. Louis had no choice but to return to the African American superstar and in paving the way ring. for those who would follow. Had he been arrogant, angry, and abrasive it is quite possible By the time Joe Louis faced Ezzard that Jackie Robinson would not have been able to Charles, in September of 1950, he was well past suit up for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Had he his prime. Louis was outclassed and battered by been more human in his emotional response to the the younger fighter and eventually lost a 15-round racism he faced or the government-imposed debt decision. Louis earned just over $100,000 for the he suffered with, it is plausible that the advance of bout. Still in debt, he accepted a guaranteed purse the civil rights movement would have been of $300,000 to fight the up-and-coming Rocky delayed. Marciano. Those who had witnessed Marciano’s punching power expressed legitimate concerns for Joe Louis will always be remembered for Joe’s safety and Marciano himself was reluctant to his exploits in the ring, but we should endeavor not fight the aged Louis. In October of 1951, to forget his life outside of it. Marciano would go on to knock Louis out with a punch that drove him through the ropes and onto Vintage Times Page 3 January Birthdays Congratulations to Norma Gold for winning 8th- Jane Davison the Christmas Door 10th- Sheila Wildermuth Decorating Challenge. 10th- Elsie Preston 16th- Marjorie Mellott 26th-Howard Stoaks 29th-Mary Hoffman 31st- Betty Donaldson 31st Wilma Bloom Riddle of the Month…. Q. A rooster laid an egg on top of the barn roof. Which way did it roll? Answer to last month’s questions: Q. What do you get when you cross an archer with a gift-wrapper? Ribbon Hood Q. Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters? They always drop their needles. Please feel free to contact us via email at anytime Doug Junker, Manager: [email protected] Rachael Gard, Health Care Coordinator: [email protected] Melissa Butler, Life Enrichment Coordinator: [email protected] Page 4 Vintage Times Cindy’s Predictions for twisted “justice” of these and other 2018 government agencies. The entrenched DC bureaucrats have not been held accountable How well did she do??? for quite some time—and, that is starting to change. Strap yourselves in….!! I think this Trump and Russia—I believe we prediction hit the mark, too—although, will hear less and less about this as 2018 there is a lot more to be revealed! goes along. The media will NOT concede that the alleged collusion never STOCK MARKET—I think we will happened—but, they will eventually quit see the stock market continue to go up and up talking about it as it becomes clear that the first 3-6 months of 2018…but, the 2nd half there is no story here… Well…. no of the year will present a different scenario! evidence of “collusion” with Russia to I think a 10% (or more) correction is “steal” the 2016 Presidential election has overdue—and, probably needs to happen to been presented—however, the Russia clear the “fluff” out of the market.