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 he learned 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
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