African-American History

Jack Johnson Quotes

Jack Johnson and James Jeffries at the World Championship Battle. Reno, Nevada, July 4, 1910.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

I know the bitterness of being accused and being harassed by prosecutors. I know the horror of being hunted and haunted. I have dashed across continents and oceans as a fugitive and have matched my wits with the police and secret agents seeking to deprive me of one of the greatest blessings man can have--liberty.
For every point I'm given, I'll have earned two, because I'm a Negro. Johson beat Burns to become the first black heavyweight champion.
Who told you I was yellow? You're white Tommy — white as the flag of surrender!
I made a lot of mistakes out of the ring, but I never made any in it.