The Great White Hope: The Presidency of Donald Trump

The Great White Hope: The Presidency of Donald Trump

            In the sport world, white Americans have often sought for a Great White Hope to regain dominance and express their racial superiority via masculinity; thus, white supremacy. In the early 1900’s, their effort to dethrone the great boxing legend, Jack Johnson, was unsuccessfully attempted by Jim Jeffries in 1910. Jack Johnson’s victories and reign as heavyweight champion provided a psychological boost to the racially oppressed and neglected Black masses. However, in 1915, in a questionable lost to Jess Willard, the professional heavyweight title was restored to a white boxer. Thus, Jack Johnson and “all” Black Americans were, once again, put in their psychological places, and severed of their momentary experience of racial empowerment. Willard made boxing “great again” for white Americans, and his victory, once again, extolled the ideology of white masculinity – white supremacy. The very thought of a Black man being equal or superior to a white man was secured in this victory – at least for some. It wasn’t until 1937, that we see a Black boxer, Joe Louis, appearing on the boxing scene and recapturing the title and instilling symbolic empowerment for millions of Blacks in this country and throughout the world.

            Beyond the sport world, Mr. Donald Trump is the Great White Hope for those who voted him in office: 58% of whites voted for Mr. Trump. His presidency, with reckless abandonment, has been busily overthrowing most of the policies and regulations the former President Barack Obama’s administration instituted. From environment, education, to immigration, etc., policies, the Trump administration feels the need to remove Obama’s legacy, thus, Obama’s efforts, effectiveness, and thus his very presence as a U.S. President.

Drawing parallels between the former President Barack Obama and Jack Johnson is inconceivable in character, offices occupied, principles, lifestyles, etc.; however, the symbolic empowerment and racial uplift both provided, although transient, is one of the similarities these individuals share. The other similarity is that their victory and presence in esteemed positions (i.e., heavyweight champion and president of the most powerful country in the world; not necessarily equitable) created a desperate need to restore the imbalance in power fostered by a system of white supremacy, or making America great again.

Mr. Trump, the modern-day Jess Willard, is throwing jabs, ducking and dodging, and slipping punches, in efforts to make America great again. Amidst this political pugilism, his administration is being upended and this country is in turmoil. Several White House officials have thrown in the towels, some voluntarily and some involuntarily, which has created instability and is drawing questions about Trumps corner. Furthermore, protests are erupting in various cities about this nation’s past and certain population’s fascination with celebrating its past with monuments of individuals and groups who were racially divisive. This is another blow to Mr. Trumps administration, because he hasn’t totally satisfied the appetites of the Alt-left in unequivocally denouncing the ideals of Nazism and racism of white nationalist, without fork-tonguing the issues and blaming the victim. Mr. Trump’s back is against the ropes. A defensive strategy could be just as effective as being on the offensive.

History has it that Jack Johnson threw the fight and allowed Jess Willard to regain the title, mainly as a strategy to reduce the white animosity that had mounted towards Johnson. Although there are rounds yet to be fought for the Trump administration, his efforts of being the great white hope or great white savior is being determined round by round on the public’s scorecard. Will he have the stamina to endure and reign as champion, and ultimately, the great white hope?