Rumble in the Jungle: Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire
Lewis Erenberg examines the heavyweight title fight between Ali and Foreman that took place in Zaire in 1974. The fight became a metaphor for competing images of blackness and the proper role of the black athlete in American life. Ultimately, the question was which set of values “won.”
Lewis Erenberg is a Professor of History at Loyola University Chicago who is especially interested in the history of popular culture and entertainment. He has spoken at numerous seminars and lectures series and was a National Humanities Center Fellow from 2003-2004. Erenberg has also authored numerous books and articles, including The Greatest Fight of Our Generation: Louis vs. Schmeling and Swingin’ The Dream: Big Band Jazz and The Rebirth of American Culture.
