Write 250 words essay
The notion of the black athlete as "representative of the race" gained widespread traction during the Jim Crow era, as national black leaders Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Did Bois took opposing positions on this issue during the reign of Jack Johnson, the first black boxer to become World Heavyweight Champion. Other black champions during this era (e.g., Jesse Owens and Joe Louis) faced this question.
Does the black athlete have a responsibility to "represent the race?" If yes, exactly how does the black athlete go about fulfilling this responsibility? If no, discuss your reasoning.