Ep 1. Episode 1

In Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson season 1 episode 1, we are introduced to the great boxer, Jack Johnson. The episode is entitled "Episode 1" and serves as an introduction to his life and the world in which he lived. We learn about the social, political, and racial climate in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We see how these factors influenced and affected Jack Johnson's life, personally and professionally.

The episode begins with a young Jack Johnson working in a cigar factory in Galveston, Texas. We learn about his upbringing and his early passion for boxing. Despite the racial barriers that existed during that time, Jack Johnson became a successful boxer and was soon known as the "Galveston Giant". The episode explores how Johnson's boxing career led him to travel and compete throughout the United States and Europe.

As Johnson's success grew, so did the racial tensions towards him. The episode touches on the discriminatory laws and practices that existed during that time, including the Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation in public spaces. We see how Johnson defied these laws by refusing to adhere to societal standards that dictated how a black man should behave. He was unapologetic in his pursuit of happiness and did not let the limitations of the times stop him from living his life as he saw fit.

As Johnson's fame and fortune increased, so did the scrutiny and hatred towards him, especially from the white community. We see how the media portrayed Johnson as a dangerous and immoral man, painting him as a threat to society. The episode highlights how white supremacists saw Johnson's success as a threat to the racial hierarchy and how they made it their mission to take him down. We see how the animosity towards him climaxed in his fight against James Jeffries, who was nicknamed "The Great White Hope". Jeffries was seen as the symbol of white superiority, and his defeat at the hands of Johnson was seen as an affront to white dominance in America, leading to riots and violence.

Overall, episode 1 of Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson gives us a glimpse into the world in which Jack Johnson lived, fought, and ultimately conquered. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the show, highlighting the theme of racial inequality and the challenges that Johnson faced both in and out of the boxing ring. We see how Johnson's journey was shaped by the social, political, and cultural landscape of the time and how his unapologetic pursuit of happiness and success challenged the norms of his society.