A Teachable Moment: Benny Paret vs Emile Griffith 3
There are stories that need to be told intact and this is one of them. There is no pretty way to tell it. To do the justice that it deserves, to speak the truth of what happened, requires me to warn you. It's about to get dark.
The man with the Cheshire Cat grin, Cuban champion Benny "Kid" Paret, was in a joking mood. But these were not jokes. His opponent, Emile Griffith, was not laughing. In 1962 Emile Griffith's homosexuality was something of an open secret in the boxing community. Those who cared didn't know, and those who knew didn't care. But as Griffith ascended the scale Paret let the slur fly.
"Maricón"
In that moment Paret had not only outed Emile to the world, he'd grabbed his ass for effect.
Emile had to be yanked away from punching Paret on the spot. In 1962 accusations of homosexuality could be fatal not only to Griffith's career and public persona, but also his relationship, as he was dating a woman at the time who didn't know. The only thing that kept his secret was the newspaper industry's fear of translating the term in print. In 1962, It was unspeakable. As Paret and his camp cracked up and let more slurs fly, Emile seethed.
So for the meek of heart, or lighter of disposition, I suggest you move along. Because the best stories aren't the ones you read to put yourself to a sound sleep. The best stories are the ones that people are too afraid or ashamed to tell.
Rhythm Boxing
A Teachable Moment: Benny Paret vs Emile Griffith 3
There are stories that need to be told intact and this is one of them. There is no pretty way to tell it. To do the justice that it deserves, to speak the truth of what happened, requires me to warn you. It's about to get dark.
The man with the Cheshire Cat grin, Cuban champion Benny "Kid" Paret, was in a joking mood. But these were not jokes. His opponent, Emile Griffith, was not laughing. In 1962 Emile Griffith's homosexuality was something of an open secret in the boxing community. Those who cared didn't know, and those who knew didn't care. But as Griffith ascended the scale Paret let the slur fly.
"Maricón"
In that moment Paret had not only outed Emile to the world, he'd grabbed his ass for effect.
Emile had to be yanked away from punching Paret on the spot. In 1962 accusations of homosexuality could be fatal not only to Griffith's career and public persona, but also his relationship, as he was dating a woman at the time who didn't know. The only thing that kept his secret was the newspaper industry's fear of translating the term in print. In 1962, It was unspeakable. As Paret and his camp cracked up and let more slurs fly, Emile seethed.
So for the meek of heart, or lighter of disposition, I suggest you move along. Because the best stories aren't the ones you read to put yourself to a sound sleep. The best stories are the ones that people are too afraid or ashamed to tell.
The best stories keep you up at night.
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11 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 146