In a move that goes against the current political grain, the United States Justice Department is refusing to pardon Jack Johnson of his convictions.
The legendary fighter was the first Black heavyweight champion of the world; seemingly unstoppable, America looked to a “Great White Hope” to officially dethrone him. When that particular venture failed, the United States government entered into the fray and ended Johnson’s title run under methods that could only be described as auspicious by the standard of today.
In a letter to Congressman Peter King, Ronald Rogers, attorney expressed that it is DOJ policy to no grant posthumous pardon requests and that pardons should be used on people “who can truly benefit” from them.
In spite of the Department of Justice’s objection, President Obama can still pardon Johnson if he wished to do so.
Jack Johnson was sent to prison over one century ago after a court found him guilty of carrying a white woman over state lines.
