Black History Month Program: Examining the 1913 Mann Act and Jack Johnson's Prosecution

Key Points:

• The event focuses on the historical context of the 1913 Federal Mann Act and its implications in the prosecution of boxer Jack Johnson.
• The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act, criminalizes the transportation of individuals across state lines for immoral purposes, which was used to prosecute Johnson for alleged violations.
• This program highlights the intersection of race, law, and history, emphasizing how legal frameworks have been applied in racially charged contexts.

Background: The Mann Act was enacted to combat human trafficking and has been historically used in cases that reflect societal attitudes towards race and morality. Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion, was prosecuted under this act in a case that has been widely viewed as racially motivated.

What's Next: The program is scheduled for February 11, 2026, at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, aiming to educate attendees about this significant legal history and its implications.