Sport

Anthony Joshua reveals he plans to teach his son JJ, 5, about racism after learning more about it himself during the BLM protests

Anthony Joshua has revealed he will teach his son JJ, five, about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement when he grows up.

The boxer, 31, told how he has never experienced racism to his face in the UK and how he learned more about it during the BLM protests that took place last summer.

Speaking to Jourdan Dunn in British Vogue, he said: ‘Growing up, my mum and dad didn’t tell me, “You know son, there’s a thing called racism, which is about the colour of your skin, and as a young black African boy, you’re going to face some situations.”

Family: Anthony Joshua has revealed he will teach his son JJ about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement when he grows up

‘I wasn’t given that talk, so I learnt more about racism during the Black Lives Matter movement, if I’m completely honest. And I feel it’s something that I’ll teach my son more about.’

When asked if he ever experienced racism growing up, Anthony said: ‘No one said anything to my face. Sometimes I could see something spray-painted on the wall.

‘You know, certain signs and stuff like that. But no one would ever say anything. I was lucky in that sense.

‘We have a lot of educated people in our community, but we tend to look at our celebrities, athletes, models, as our spokespeople.

Learning: The boxer, 31, told how he has never experienced racism to his face in the UK and he learned about it during the BLM protests that took place last summer (pictured with his son JJ)

‘So I definitely, definitely will always speak. Racism, against all people, needs to be kicked out. I want to tell my son that we fought for the issues so that you don’t have to fight anymore.’

Anthony also discussed the idea of ‘toxic masculinity’ and men feeling pressure to act a certain way and not show vulnerability.

The athlete said he has his own ways of ‘dealing with things’ and sometimes does ‘shut it off’.

He said: ‘I can’t speak on behalf of the alpha kingdom, I can only speak of my personal experiences.

He said: ‘I learnt more about racism during the Black Lives Matter movement, if I’m completely honest. And I feel it’s something that I’ll teach my son more about’

‘I do have my ways of dealing with things – sometimes I shut it off. Because I don’t want to show that vulnerability at all. Even to family.

‘I deal with my own pressures. And sometimes it’s tough, because they look at you like, “Oh he shows no weakness. Maybe he can deal with more,” and then everyone comes to you with their problems. And then there’s the stage where it’s like, well, who’s helping me with mine?’

Asked if there is pressure with ‘living up to being invincible’, Anthony replied: ‘There is, but that’s the motivation. That’s what gets you out of bed in the morning.

Anthony added: ‘Racism, against all people, needs to be kicked out. I want to tell my son that we fought for the issues so that you don’t have to fight anymore’ (pictured on The Jonathan Ross Show in April)

‘Because no one is invincible. The trial and error is what makes you great. I’ve been beat before. I’ve been put down before.

‘It’s been tough, but the drive to get better and build that invincibility around me is what gives me motivation. No one wants to win more than me, right?’

See the full feature in the July issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands now.

Interview: See the full feature in the July issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands now

Related Posts

Angel Reese’s sultry dance on TikTok captivated her followers as she revealed a side of her never seen before

Angel Reese is no stranger to wowing her fans on social media, but the Chicago Sky star took things to the next level in her latest video. Known for her powerful presence and confident vibe,…

Carlos Alcaraz acalla a los escépticos con un mensaje contundente en medio de los problemas de salud que le aquejan persistentemente en Turín

El ascenso de Carlos Alcaraz al estrellato ha sido meteórico. Con tan solo 21 años, ha conquistado el mundo del tenis, acumulando cuatro títulos este año, incluidos dos Grand…

Chicago Sky Coach Sends Message to Angel Reese on Necessary Improvement

The Chicago Sky recently named Tyler Marsh the head coach of the organization following the firing of Teresa Weatherspoon. A few weeks after Marsh’s hiring, he joined the media for…

Ciara, Russell Wilson’s wife, shares a $17 million update with Ayesha Curry following a charity event.

There was no shortage of star power during Sunday’s Baby2Baby Gala at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. One of the stars that graced the benefit event was Grammy Award-winning R&B…

“Una completa mala gestión”; “¿Dónde está la sensatez?”: los aficionados se preocupan ante la decisión del entrenador de Carlos Alcaraz de descartar retirarse de las Finales ATP pese a su enfermedad

La reciente decisión del equipo de Carlos Alcaraz de no considerar la retirada del jugador de las Finales ATP ha generado una ola de preocupación entre los aficionados….

Novak Djokovic presentado por Vogue Adria con dos versiones de “The Greatest of All Time”

Una nota rápida: el tenis es mi deporte favorito. Y una nota al margen: Novak Djokovic es mi tenista favorito. En realidad, esto podría ser un eufemismo en…