Question

What connection does angelou make between the outcome of the fight and the pride of african americans? To what degree do you think the authors view is shared by the others in the store listening to the broadcast?

Answer 1

The author of "The champion of the world" relates the outcome of the fight with the continuation of African American freedom. If the black fighter, Joe Louis, loses, it would be "another lynching, yet another Black man hanging on a tree. One more woman ambushed and r*ped." It would represent the end of African American pride, "If Joe lost we were back in slavery and beyond help.  It would all be true, the accusations that we were lower types of human  beings. Only a little higher than apes."

The other ones listening to the broadcast with her feels the same as it shown with the large celebration when Joe Louis wins. "People drank Coca-Colas like ambrosia and  ate candy bars like Christmas."