Major Taylor

[recumbentgoat]

The "Tiger Woods" of track cycling and the highest paid athlete in the world at the turn of the century. Lionized in Europe (especially France!) and Australia--he died in poverty and obscurity due to American racism.

Find out more at http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/

Comments

[times_r_shitty]

I have often wondered why any early 20th century Black expatriates and veterans of the two world wars ever came back to this country.

[recumbentgoat]

I know--I would've left and never looked back. But the ties that bind, you know?

And it amazes me how Americans take that feeling for granted--

[times_r_shitty]

My father was 21 when he shipped out for Europe. If i'd been him, Kentucky would never have seen my face again. Which feeling do you mean, the ties that bind or the ubiquitous everyday oppression of that time? If it's the former, people move away from their families with a lot less significant motivation than escaping a murderous Apartheid State.

[recumbentgoat]

I was just thinking of 'family ties'. But, yeah, I'd think that a family would understand (and want) a son to have a better life somewhere else. If I'd been him I'd have emigrated and then brought the rest of my family over if it were that important to him.

It's puzzling actually. I don't know enough about Taylor to speculate why he'd come back to the U.S. Maybe he just ran out of money and by the time he realized he should get out again--it was too late. Maybe he still bought into the 'American dream'. Didn't Jackie Robinson leave the country too? Or was that his son? Can't remember.

But even way back when--with Paul Cuffe. He left when he could too. Who know what he could've done if he hadn't up and died so prematurely.

So where'd your dad see action?