It’s not often, outside of conversations with my daughter, that I feel completely ignorant. But I had that feeling this week as I watched the sparkling HBO documentary on Joe Louis that will begin airing in a few days. The 75-minute piece on the heavyweight champion who spent his declining years in Las Vegas was incredibly illuminating. I know something about sports and something about history, but I knew almost nothing about Louis and his effect on both and his betrayal by the country he loved. This film and a “Face to Face” I did Tuesday with two of his children opened my eyes to a gentle, simple man who was Jackie Robinson before Jackie Robinson was Jackie Robinson. Watch the film if you can. It is eye-opening.
flashpoint:
Conversations with my daughter
Wed, Feb 20, 2008 (2 a.m.)
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy