WASHINGTON — He was the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion, nicknamed the “Galveston Giant” after his hometown in Texas. But even John Arthur “Jack” Johnson could not fight against the racism of his time when in 1913, he was wrongly convicted on charges of human trafficking for bringing his girlfriend, who was white, across state lines.
On Tuesday a bipartisan coalition of congressmen, including Senator William “Mo” Cowan of Massachusetts, introduced a resolution calling for President Obama to posthumously pardon Johnson.
Comments
"Cowan, Massachusetts first black Senator..." Better not let Ed Brooke see that
How quickly they added Democratic to the earlier (incorrect) statement...
Wholeheartedly support the effort, but I doubt "Johnson distained racist rules." He more likely "disdained" them. Why does the Globe think that proofreading is not a part of a journalist's responsibilities? It has way too many lazy mistakes like this. This was hardly a breaking story where mistakes can be forgiven.
Tracy Jan: the word is spelled "disdained." Come on, I'm sure you can do better than that. Or perhaps spell check can. Thank you.
What profile in courage from our half-wit gap-toothed interim senator. Is he going to do anything to help Massachusetts while he has his cup of coffee in the Senate?
And by the way, the legislature has no role in pardons. Perhaps he knew that.