Boxer on the DL
Boxer Benny (kid) Paret called Emile Griffith a queer shortly before they stepped into the ring. Griffith beat him unconscious and nine days later Paret was dead. Ring of Fire, a documentary about Griffith, airs on the USA network tomorrow night and is being criticized for not nailing the issue of Griffith's sexuality. That story is vividly illustrated in Gary Smith's article "The Shadow Boxer" which details his habitual visits to gay bars and the subject his friends all chose not to bring up, given the status of gays at that time:
"It's 1967. Mike Wallace concludes his groundbreaking 60 Minutes segment entitled "The Homosexuals" with these words: 'The dilemma of the homosexual: told by the medical profession he is sick; by the law that he's a criminal; shunned by employers, rejected by heterosexual society. Incapable of a fulfilling relationship with a woman, or for that matter, with a man. At the center of his life, he remains anonymous. A displaced person. An outsider.'"
The story of Paret's taunts, Griffith's "secret" life, and the 1992 gay bashing that left him close to death is compelling stuff.
It's amazing how little has changed within the world of sports since that time. "Ring of Fire" attempts to tell Griffith's story but may prove to be more illustrative of the closeted nature of the sports/boxing world today.
The Shadow Boxer [sports illustrated]
A Welter of Emotions [ny daily news]
Posted Apr. 19,2005 at 1:12 PM EST by Andy Towle in Film and TV, Sports | Permalink
...that's not a flamer pun is it?
Posted by: -p- | Apr 19, 2005 4:54:26 PM
Andy, thanks so much for mentioning this.
The Times ran an article last week advancing the movie, and it will interesting to see how the subject matter is portrayed.
Sadly, your take is probably correct.
Rod
brotha2Brotha
Posted by: rod | Apr 19, 2005 5:00:34 PM
HI Andy.
I watched the film this evening and was entertained merely by its good film making. It blew me apart, however, to witness the bout and the varied back stories. I am a boxing fan and a gay man so I was intrigued to watch the film.
The K.O., for me, came at the meeting of the son of Paret and Griffith. It seemed to me, obvious, the pain and agony and guilt-feelings of Griffith and his deep, long-lived suffering. I found the piece riveting. I was so grateful that there was no commercial interruption and found the contributing commentators to be informative and sympathetic to the fighters' plight for the most part.
Finally, it seems to me, whether or not Griffith ever actually said the words " I am Gay" is of little consequence. It is more than implied and my gaydar beeps furiously and empathetically for Griffith, now a middle aged man with short-term memory issues.
I found the film to be objective, powerful and well-made. Much to my surprise, I was moved to tears (Hardened Ice Prince that I can be) at the meeting of the fighter and the deceased opponent's son. My prayers go out to the family of "Kid" and to Griffith himself. I am still shaken over the presentation and appreciate the chance to "vent" my emotions here.
Thanks Andy.
Marc
Posted by: savvyplanners.com | Apr 21, 2005 4:06:08 AM