100 WVIA Way
Pittston, PA 18640

Phone: 570-826-6144
Fax: 570-655-1180

Copyright © 2025 WVIA, all rights reserved. WVIA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

STAND WITH WVIA: Federal Funding Is Cut, Click Here To Support Our Essential Services Now.

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Speeding Tickets

Season 1 | 3m 11s

Jack Johnson was given speeding tickets scores of times over the years, sometimes because he really was driving too fast — and sometimes simply because white policemen couldn’t stand to see a black man behind the wheel of a costly racing car. He also later joined a vaudeville troupe, where he made good money under tough working conditions.

From

Extras

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

The Jim Crow Era

Johnson became the world heavyweight boxing champion in the height of the Jim Crow era.

Clip: S1 | 4:01

Watch • 1:42:12

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Part 2

See Jack Johnson's rise to the top of the boxing world and witness the country's reaction

Episode: S1 E2 | 1:42:12

Watch • 1:51:00

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Part 1

Follow Jack Johnson's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings to entering the ring.

Episode: S1 E1 | 1:51:00

Latest Episodes

Watch • 1:42:12

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Part 2

See Jack Johnson's rise to the top of the boxing world and witness the country's reaction

Episode: S1 E2 | 1:42:12

Watch • 1:51:00

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Part 1

Follow Jack Johnson's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings to entering the ring.

Episode: S1 E1 | 1:51:00