Have you heard about Jack Johnson, hes a hero in this land.
I don't like to sing about boxing but I hope you'll understand.
It was the 1st year they gave the heavyweight title to a black man,
and in 1908 it ain't so easy.
He was born right after slavery died, right after reconstruction died,
he was born right after none of that stuff really died.
It never died at all
He would walk down the streets wearing gold and diamonds,
always hold his head up high.
And he never had to say yes sir or no sir to the white folks as they passed
him by,
or as he passed them by.
So the great white hope was pulled out of retirement
to nurse the bruised and damaged white pride.
And when Johnson beat him down there wasn't a man around at his side.
And when the fight was over, there was beatings and murders.
The worst race riot this country has seen.
And all because they didn't want a black man.
All because they didn't want a black man.
They couldn't stand to see a black man winning in their ring.
Yeah, who said heroes have to be role models?
Who said heroes have to be role models?
Who said heroes have to be role models, anyway?