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Editorial
August 8, 1950
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Editorial critiques Joe Louis for continuing to box past his prime, arguing it will erode his legendary status as a symbol of physical prowess among American youth and adults, despite past achievements.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Fight For Recognition
It has been definitely established that one of the best ways for an individual to retain prominence, once it is acquired, is to remain as less conspicuous as possible. This does not mean, however, that one must shun his associates or ignore people whom he sees daily. It does not mean being a snob.
Recognition is a peculiar thing. People give it to you and people take it away. Therefore, in order to retain it, one must make himself interesting and useful enough to keep the people pulling for him.
Joe Louis may be a good example. During the early thirties and even up until the middle forties, Louis remained a great hero in the minds of America's youths and adults as well. The name of Joe Louis had become legendary. People looked up to him as a great symbol of physical fitness and ruggedness.
No person in the history of boxing, including Dempsey had emerged so fabulous and sensational as Joe Louis.
His showmanship in the prize ring was more spectacular and colorful than any ever to don a glove in the heavyweight category.
Joe Louis is a human being, and all human beings have to reach their peak in life. Louis reached his long before he fought Joe Walcott.
He did a great job during the span that he held the titles as heavyweight champion. Perhaps the best ever done by any one man. He won high recognition for this job. He should have kept this recognition.
Like many of us, hungry for the power of the "almighty dollar".
Louis is making the same mistake. He is still fighting. Even though he wins over Charles and all others who face him during these late years, he will still be losing.
He will be losing in the minds of the people who once adored and respected him as the greatest fighter in the world. When he enters the ring during these late years, he will not be that great fighter he once was.
This is going to make people forget the Joe Louis of "old." He will be a different Joe and people will look upon him as such. His record will not be as colorful and his victories will not be as sensational.
Most of all, Joe will lose one of the most valuable assets of his career, that legendary power which had become so well instilled in the minds of American youths.
It has been definitely established that one of the best ways for an individual to retain prominence, once it is acquired, is to remain as less conspicuous as possible. This does not mean, however, that one must shun his associates or ignore people whom he sees daily. It does not mean being a snob.
Recognition is a peculiar thing. People give it to you and people take it away. Therefore, in order to retain it, one must make himself interesting and useful enough to keep the people pulling for him.
Joe Louis may be a good example. During the early thirties and even up until the middle forties, Louis remained a great hero in the minds of America's youths and adults as well. The name of Joe Louis had become legendary. People looked up to him as a great symbol of physical fitness and ruggedness.
No person in the history of boxing, including Dempsey had emerged so fabulous and sensational as Joe Louis.
His showmanship in the prize ring was more spectacular and colorful than any ever to don a glove in the heavyweight category.
Joe Louis is a human being, and all human beings have to reach their peak in life. Louis reached his long before he fought Joe Walcott.
He did a great job during the span that he held the titles as heavyweight champion. Perhaps the best ever done by any one man. He won high recognition for this job. He should have kept this recognition.
Like many of us, hungry for the power of the "almighty dollar".
Louis is making the same mistake. He is still fighting. Even though he wins over Charles and all others who face him during these late years, he will still be losing.
He will be losing in the minds of the people who once adored and respected him as the greatest fighter in the world. When he enters the ring during these late years, he will not be that great fighter he once was.
This is going to make people forget the Joe Louis of "old." He will be a different Joe and people will look upon him as such. His record will not be as colorful and his victories will not be as sensational.
Most of all, Joe will lose one of the most valuable assets of his career, that legendary power which had become so well instilled in the minds of American youths.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Joe Louis
Boxing Legacy
Retaining Fame
Heavyweight Champion
Career Peak
Public Recognition
What entities or persons were involved?
Joe Louis
Jack Dempsey
Joe Walcott
Ezzard Charles
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Joe Louis's Continued Fighting Diminishing His Legacy
Stance / Tone
Critical Warning About Losing Legendary Status
Key Figures
Joe Louis
Jack Dempsey
Joe Walcott
Ezzard Charles
Key Arguments
Retaining Prominence Requires Staying Inconspicuous Without Being A Snob
Recognition Is Given And Taken By People, So One Must Remain Interesting And Useful
Joe Louis Was A Legendary Heavyweight Champion Symbolizing Physical Fitness
Louis Reached His Peak Before Fighting Walcott But Performed Exceptionally As Champion
Continuing To Fight Past Prime For Money Will Make Him Lose Admiration
Late Victories Won't Match Earlier Sensational Ones, Fading His Legendary Image