Talk will focus on 'cultural icon'

Joe Louis, the second African-American heavyweight boxing champion in American history, will be the subject of a program at 7 p.m. today at the Monroe County Public Library. \nProfessor Emeritus William Wiggins, Jr., of IU's African American and African Diaspora Studies, will present the talk. \nAccording to the Monroe County Public Library's Web site, Louis was known as the "Brown Bomber" for his boxing talent and heavy punching prowess. He became the heavyweight boxing champion in 1937 and defended his title 25 times until 1949. \nLouis was a cultural icon during the 30s and 40s, Wiggins said. \n"He's a major figure," he said. "Someone more in (students') generation would be (Muhammad) Ali."\nIn fact, Wiggins said Ali once revealed his idols were Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson and Louis.\nLouis was also a war hero, volunteering to serve in the WWII. He toured the Pacific and also donated his winnings from two title fights to the Army Relief fund and Navy Relief fund, Wiggins said.\nThe talk will include various types of presentations, said Monroe County Public Library adult programming coordinator Jane Ruddick.\n"(Professor Wiggins) will show some clips of how Joe Louis was depicted in film," she said. "He will also have audio tapes. It's a multimedia presentation."\nWiggins said Louis' fame spread beyond the sports world. Approximately 25 songs were written about him, he appeared in numerous movies and has been mentioned in many books.\nWiggins believes learning about Louis could be important and interesting for all people.\n"Here we have a chance to look at another athlete who is a cultural icon as much as Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth would be," he said. "We are looking at how Lewis transcended sports."\nThere is also a local interest in Louis' career.\n"He trained in French Lick," Wiggins explained, "so he was always in Indiana. He's a big man."\nLearning about Louis will also honor Black History Month.\n"At the time, he represented hope of African-Americans that they could overcome discrimination and racism," Ruddick said. "This is another example of African-American history which tends to be ignored. This will help people become aware of this part of black history."\nMore information about Joe Louis and the program can be found at the Monroe County Public Library's Web site, www.monroe.lib.in.us.