Major Taylor: Champion of the Race

major funding for this program is made possible by the Allen White Hill Clues charitable Foundation as it continues Mr clu's Legacy of philanthropy in promoting and preserving Arts and Humanities in Indianapolis information at aw Clues c.org additional funding is provided by the IU student Foundation presenting the little 500 Collegiate bike race since 1951 supporting students in leadership and philanthropy since 194 49 details at uf. indiana.edu the alcine recognition endowment fund Indiana Pub

lic Broadcasting stations the wfiu wtiu documentary programs fund and wtiu members like you thank you after all is said and done and written my own book of experiences will best show what these obstacles are and how I managed to overcome them to some extent in a word I was a Pioneer and therefore had to blaz my own trail Marshall Major Taylor Major Taylor was obsessed he had to be to be the first African-American world champion when the whole world was against you that would fuel his obsession t

oday's athletes they are the B product of what major Taylor had to have done in order to achieve what he achieved he earned nicknames that often equated to the most powerful forces in Heaven and Earth the Cyclone the Whirlwind the comet he gained the respect of one of the country's most celebrated civil rights pioneers and shook the hand of a US president who greatly admired him he was the toast of many of the largest cities in America as well as Paris Brussels Munich London and Sydney and for a

time he was one of the most famous people on three continents and he accomplished it all riding a bicycle the remarkable thing about Major Taylor is that he rose to the height to to the Zenith and remarkably he was the best that ever did it he held up the mirror to the false Narrative of racism because racism says you're not as good as this other group and he says through his action oh yes I am Marshall Walter major tailor was many things to many people a poet a musician an author a businessman

a loving husband and father he was one of the most powerful athletes on the planet the world's first black sports Superstar reporters simply called him the fastest man in the world Major Taylor was big box office he was a big draw he was a rock star at the turn of the 20th century cycling was the world's most lucrative and popular sport in an era when top baseball players earn $2500 a year Major Taylor Made 20 times that year after year after year what major Taylor was able to earn at this part

icular time in the history of sports is almost unfathomable so for this would be happening in the 1890s and early in the 20th century it was really extraordinary at the same time Major Taylor was a master negotiator a man who had to navigate the turbulent Winds of social change that he helped to promote I can't imagine how major ter or Del with it with the extreme in yourface racism of the Jim Crow Era baseball players had their trials and tribulations but they were also on teams Major Taylor wa

sn't on a team it was Major Taylor versus everybody else and everybody else was white life is too short for any man to hold bitterness in his heart I pray children of my race will carry on in spite of that Dreadful monster Prejudice and with patience courage fortitude and perseverance achieve success for themselves Major Taylor this is a quintessential American athlete the quintessential American story he's an icon and he wanted to dignify the entire race the whole notion of of extreme patience

and persistence that it took to get where he got is a lesson for all of humanity really this is a pioneering figure in American Sport and in American history we need to know about Major Taylor the man Whom The New York Times once called the fastest in the world was born on November 26th 1878 in Indianapolis Indiana Indianapolis during the time that major Taylor was living here there were schools and black children were attending schools here there were black churches so you had a community Major

Taylor came up um at a time when America was codifying Jim Crow and he also came up with a time when America would see arguably its most virulent period of racism in the de construction of reconstruction Marshall's father Gilbert served with the US colored troops during the Civil War after the war he worked as a Coachman for a wealthy white family the Southerns Gilbert often took young Marshall with him to help care for the horses the southers had a son Daniel who was the same age as Marshall t

he contrast between the way Taylor grew up and the way the southern family were living it's just remarkable I mean it was the two opposite ends of the economic and social Spectrum arguably the most prized possessions the Southerns gave to both their son and to Marshall were their own bicycles Marshall and Dan enjoyed many of the same opportunities that is until Taylor attempted to join his white friends at the local YMCA there was only one thing though that I could not beat them at and that was

when we went down to the young men's Christian Association gymnasium it was there that I was first introduced to that Dreadful monster Prejudice which became my bitterest foe from that very same day they would want to go to the YMCA to play indoors on rainy days and Marshall was not allowed because he was black by the time Taylor and his friends mounted their first two wheelers the bicycle craze in the United States had grown to a fever pitch once it was shown that it was efficient and that you

could travel great distances far more than you could walk then there was a great deal of excitement about this invention the whole concept was personal Transportation which had never really existed before you could take a bicycle anywhere I think the bicycle has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world I Rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bus it gives her a feeling of self-reliance and Independence the moment she takes her seat and away she goes the picture of unt

rammeled Womanhood Susan B Anthony cycling was taking off as America's sport it was bigger than baseball at the turn of the century bicycle Row in downtown Indianapolis included several manufacturers and retailers Marshall Taylor was familiar with these nearby shops and their owners once when entering the hay and Willet store to replace a broken part on his bike Taylor mounted his two-wheeler with a creative flourish that captured the attention of owner Tom hay Tom had a real eye for the marketi

ng and thought this kid could really be a draw let's get him dressed up and put him in front of our shop and while he did this Major Taylor was wearing a military style jacket because um Marshall Walter Taylor was wearing this military style jacket he became known in a very early age as Major Taylor one of the most influential entrepreneurs who set up shop on bicycle row was Lewis def Franklin birdie Munger a former Champion cyclist Munger is one of the best racing men in the country moreover he

is one of the fairest racing men in the country he is of a very merried disposition and everyone he meets is sure to become his friend Chicago Tribune March 1893 birdie Munger was very theatrical flamboyant style person and uh probably met Major Taylor through one of the bike shops uh so he became his mentor his coach his employer Munger sensed that his new employee had the potential to be a successful racer while timing Taylor one day at a local track Munger was surprised to see his young prot

e speed around the 1em oval in 2 minutes and 9 seconds a mere 2 seconds from the world record at the time was astonished that this young racer that really most people never heard of nearly breaks a world record one of the most influential Racers that Taylor met while working for Munger was Arthur Augustus Zimmerman winner of more than a thousand National and international races and the current world champion cyclist 3 years running Zimmerman was coming to Indianapolis for a race and Marshall Tay

lor was assigned to go fetch him at the train station so we got to talk to him on the way to Bird's at Mr Zimmerman's request I sat down at the dinner table with them a great honor indeed there was no race Prejudice in the makeup of Zimmerman he was too big for that Zimmerman could offer him Insight he could offer him tips he could just really almost in a way be another Mentor birdie reasoned that prospects might prove more financially beneficial in the growing manufacturing Market in the east i

n the fall of 1895 he purchased a factory in Worster Massachusetts he promised to take Taylor along as a shop assistant and to continue his training Munger had Grand Visions in mind for Major Taylor to accomplish their goals they needed a bigger attraction in the biggest venue they could find one that would launch Major Taylor into an international spotlight and they're up on the six day grind Madison Square Garden is the epicenter of popular culture in America so if you're making your debut in

Madison Square Garden it's like a singer in Carnegie Hall making your debut this is an event in December 1896 birdie Munger entered Major Taylor into one of the nation's top sports events the annual sixday race race at Madison Square Garden in New York City the idea was to go around and around the oval in Madison Square Garden for six straight days and see who could compile the most miles it would introduce Major Taylor to the public may lead to F and Fortune down hard work and he convinced them

that if they could promote the race as a race of black versus white that they would actually attract more people that this would promote interest in the race as a warm-up to the big event the 18-year-old Taylor entered a shorter race a half mile dash against the top American Sprinter Eddie bald when the starter's gun sounded bald shot out to an impressive lead but as the cheering swelled Taylor suddenly stunned everyone by rocketing past bald to capture the checkered flag it was an incredible e

vent and Eddie bald at the track was quoted by a cycling journalist at the time in a terrible racial epithet that he couldn't believe that major Taylor had beaten him and this catapulted major tayor to Fain instantaneously discipline to me is when you set your rules and you stick by it when you go through and you have a narrow purpose an overarching goal that is a a life priority you don't want this you need this Major Taylor had an unyielding goal to perfect his own mental and physical conditio

ning that goal was much easier for him to attain in Worcester Massachusetts I was in Worcester only a very short time before I realized that there was no such race Prejudice existing among the bicycle Riders there as I had experienced in Indianapolis when I realized that I would have a fair chance to compete against them in races I took on a new lease on life and when I learned that I could join the YMCA in Worcester I was pleased Beyond expression you know really to kind of get ready for any ki

nd of competition uh it was preparation and there's always going to be naysayers but mentally you have to prepare yourself too because of whether you're being a woman or a person of color the things that are said about you you have to learn to block out physically Taylor sought solace in the gym spiritually he found salvation at the John Street Baptist Church in Worcester Major Taylor had a very close relationship with his mother safronia uh she was a woman of very deep Faith uh before she died

she made him basically promise not to race on Sundays for many of the cyclists Sunday was preferred day to race and they could earn a great deal of money major was offered thousands to race on Sunday but he would not give in while Massachusetts was far more welcoming than his home in the midwest Taylor still faced hostile reactions when attempting to purchase a new home one Hobson Avenue in an all-white neighborhood consternation has in its clutches the society people and property owners of Colu

mbus Park worcester's new and swell residence District because Major Taylor the colored bicycle Rider has purchased a house there they are making a tremendous fuss over having him for a neighbor and all because of his color in private life Major Taylor is one of the most quiet and gentlemanly men in the country but this does not appease the Columbus Park residents they do not want a colored man for a neighbor Boston Post February 1900 there's people in the neighborhood saying you know we can't h

ave black people living here uh they tried to get him to sell the house back for twice what he paid but he really didn't want to sell it back at all he felt he had the right to live there eventually the Uproar died down Taylor kept the home in a word I was a Pioneer and therefore had to blaze my own trail words from Marshall Major Taylor a true Trailblazer as an athlete and civil rights Champion hello and thank you for joining us for this first fulllength documentary about Major Taylor I'm Mark

Chilla director of production at wtiu I'd like to welcome curator of social history at the Indiana State Museum and historical consultant on this doc documentary Kisha Tandy thank you for being here thank you Mark it's great to be here we'll get back to more of Major Taylor champion of the race in just a bit but first we have an important message for you important local stories like this are only possible with the support of our members viewers like you producer Todd Gould and the production tea

m here at wtiu spent over two years researching interviewing experts and crafting the product you are watching right now so far we've traced the roots of Taylor's love of racing to what was known as bicycle Row in Indianapolis we learned how he got the nickname major and a look at his early success in racing the Six-Day race in Madison Square Garden can you imagine that Kisha a sixday bicycle race no Mark I can't when Todd contacted me about this project I was so excited I had done extensive res

earch in my role at the Museum planning an interactive major tayor exhibit and dayong Festival a few years ago one of the recurring themes of telling this story to so many visitors over that year in 2022 was that so very few knew of Major Taylor and his impact not only in the World of Sports but in the fight for civil rights that's why I was thrilled to be part of this project and why I am so happy to be here with you now I know we can work together to bring more important local stories like thi

s to everyone in Indiana and Beyond producing the quality local documentaries and news you depend on comes at a great cost but it's worth it and that's why we ask you to support this essential resource right now you'll feel a deep sense of Pride knowing you make wtiu possible when you call 800 987-9881 knowledge of Major Taylor even more take a look Major Taylor champion of the race retraces The Life and Legacy of an American Civil Rights Pioneer who set more than 20 World Records in speed cycli

ng during the heart of the Jim Crow era wtiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hoer hero but it is only possible with your support support local storytelling on wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blu-ray this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a world class athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly anything

is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly membership of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle rider in the world paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a riveting first first person account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 WTI sustaining membership we will send you the major Taylor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with b

onus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and an additional book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor by investigative journalist Michael kranish a mustre for anyone who loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your hooer Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you it was important for me to

be a part of this telling of the story of Major Taylor because so many Heroes uh stories get lost in history I'm one of the narrators on this project so I get to tell a lot of the facts about major Taylor's life about uh the people that are a part of his life about his story he's a local hero he's a National Treasure an international treasure and I actually didn't know anything about Major Taylor before I became involved with this project I'm embarrassed to say that I just didn't know anything a

bout his contribution to cycling um his struggles his victories um and what he brought to the sport and how much he meant to the sport of cycling I think I'm pretty well read and if I don't know these stories I know there are people that don't know these stories so I felt really privileged to be able to be a part of telling the story of this great athlete and this great American citizen if you were like maretta and believe in the importance of telling these stories of our own ho your history we

ask that you pick up the phone or go online right now 800 9879 48 or wu. donate member support remains our most reliable source of funding and the easiest way to support our mission at wtiu is to become a sustainer you pick the monthly amount you're comfortable with and the station receives the ongoing financial support it needs year round here here's more sustaining membership is an easy and convenient way to support the programs you love as a sustaining member you make an ongoing monthly contr

ibution from either your checking account or credit card the amount you give is entirely up to you your donation will happen automatically each month so you never have to worry about your membership expiring if you do need to change the amount of your monthly contribution just contact us best of all when you make a qualifying donation you can enjoy our most popular member benefit ever PBS passport with passport you can watch an incredible collection of drama science art and history programs when

ever you want you can stream them on your TV using the PBS app for your Roku Apple TV Fire TV newer Samsung Smart TV or Android TV or watch on your phone tablet or computer so please call or go online to start your sustaining membership now Major Taylor self-published his own autobiography in 1928 and I'm so excited for you to read it it's an excellent firstperson account of his rise to the highest echelons of professional cycling readers will learn about his exploits including his early Taste o

f success in that grueling Six-Day race his dominance as a sprinter and some of his most bitter defeats he also details the Prejudice he faced on and off the track he tells us I am writing my Memoirs in the spirit calculated to solicit simple Justice equal rights and a square deal for the posterity of my downtrodden but brave people not only in athletic games and sports but in every honorable game of human endeavor such an inspiration become a champion for wtiu today and help us bring the next g

reat local story to your screen you can add Taylor's autobiography to your home library right now by becoming a sustainer at just $10 a month he'll provide strong and reliable support to keep PBS thriving in this region of Indiana call 800 987-9881 Major Taylor champion of the race retraces The Life and Legacy of an American Civil Rights Pioneer who set more than 20 World Records in speed cycling during the heart of the Jim Crow era wtiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hooer hero b

ut it is only possible with your support support local storytelling on wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blu-ray this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a world-class athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly anything is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly member

ship of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle rider in the world paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a riveting firstperson account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 WT IU sustaining membership we will send you the major Taylor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with bonus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and an additional book the worl

d's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor by investigative journalist Michael cranes a mustre for anyone who loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your hoer Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you it's about time to head back for more of Major Taylor champion of the race coming up we will hear about the real physical dangers he fac

ed on and off the track his quest for a world title and meeting the love of his life there's still time to support great storytelling on wtiu call us at 800 9879 48 or go to w.org donate it was super dangerous on the track CU if there was any kind of a mechanical malfunction and a crash there could be serious serious injury or fatality at more than 40 m an hour the world's top cyclists would push each other at top speed this during a time in which Cycles were often heavy and difficult to control

and Riders never wore a helmet or protection of any kind Major Taylor later said that at least 11 of his competitors died uh during cycling races he himself um was knocked unconscious had many terrible crashes for Major Taylor the threats were constant competitors elbowed him bumped him from the track and once a spectator poured a pale of ice water over his head as he passed by one athlete William Becker grew so incensed after a race that he came up behind tail and choked him into what Taylor c

alled quote a state of insensibility just after we had crossed the tape Becca wheeled up and hurled me to the ground he then started to choke me but the police interfered it was 15 minutes before I regained Consciousness track racing is control chaos you have to leave the Saddle Rock the bike from side to side uh the the the bicycle is uh more or less a weapon at this point and your job is to chase down everybody in front of you if you're going to win that race for Major Taylor to also combat ra

cism at the time competitors that didn't want to race with him or were boxing him out people that are pioneers they have to welcome that pressure I think white people wanted white athletes to be the Stars generally speaking so when a black athlete dominated a sport the way Major Taylor did it was going to be uh clear that some of those white people would be trying to find the next white Champion to to replace him Taylor's Challengers included Frank Kramer once called the New Jersey nightmare bec

ause of the intensity with which he attacked his opponents on the track he often H racial epithets at Taylor in the Press there was ior Lawson the big swed who once intentionally bumped Taylor into the infield and caused such terrible injuries the Taylor was forced into a hospital bed for weeks and then there was Floyd McFarland the human engine a West Coast champion from San Jose McFarlin was a big Bruiser of a guy and McFarland was determined he would not stop at anything he was not going to b

e beat by a black man when racing head-to-head wins by Taylor would send McFarland into a rage Major Taylor had the determination to win Floyd McFarland had the determination to not allow and to hinder Major Taylor from winning I shall always remember Floyd McFarland as the instigator and leading perpetrator of practically all the underhanded scheming that might bring about my failure to win the championship Laurels Major Taylor would have been racing and training and traveling under a system of

segregation this would cause him many challenges challenges of where could he stay when he was going to racist how would he be able to train and all of those things were things that he had to consider so this was a very dangerous time to be the progy of enslaved Africans in this country to be a Prof former in a completely white theater was a daunting period not only did Taylor endure the racial turbulence somehow he thrived in it it was a turning point for Major Taylor and he said I'm not going

to try to compete as anything other than what I am and I'm going to let the color of my skin be my fortune my race is my fortune Major Taylor had an explosive Sprint he could wait in the back of the pack for his moment and then find an opening and jump he was extremely quick and he could sit right on the wheel in front of them uh inches from the the wheel above all he had an incredible ability to burst into speed and and wind down the stretch and that became really his his trademark when I had

a dangerous man on my rear wheel I would slip into the pocket making no effort to get out until just nearing the tape then timing my jump perfectly I would suddenly hop through leaving my rivals in the Lurch often in direct Defiance of promoters bands bogus fins and opponents threats Major Taylor continued to win races all over the United States in more than 12 years of competition he set 22 world records and then went out and broke his own records another 4 times more he soon guarded more prize

money than any other athlete at the turn of the 20th century you look at the guy and you say he made $220,000 a year $50,000 a year that doesn't seem that much to people today but we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars a year he made someplace between maybe 2 million 3 and a half million during his career that's that's a lot of money major Chiller starts getting headlines uh nicknames the Worcester Whirlwind the black Comet the black Cyclone people just love to see how fast he can

go no matter whether they were rooting for the black man to defeat the white man or whether they wanted to see white supremacy upheld they wanted to see it one of the best opportunities for Taylor to show how he could Excel and to claim the title of the world's fastest man would come in August 1899 Less Than 3 years into his Stellar career as a finalist in the 1em world Sprint Championship held before more than 18,000 fans at Queens Park vome in Montreal this was a huge event and major describe

s his feeling how happy he was how excited he was and how proud he was in a final heat that included champions from England France Australia and the United States Taylor vanquished all his opponents officially Taylor had now earned the title world champion 1899 will always live in my memory as one of my greatest Seasons because I won the championship That season beyond the shadow of a doubt my keenest competitors conceding me The Laurels when he competes in races for example uh New York City or

in the South they would play Dixie if he won this was the racist anthem of the Confederacy but when he won the World Championship they played the star spangle banner and he said he had never felt more American until that day in Canada the star spangle Banner never sounded sweeter than it did on this occasion my national anthem took on a new meaning for me from that moment I never felt so proud to be an American before and indeed I felt even more American at that moment than I had ever felt in Am

erica this was the most impressive moment of my young life he is now an international Superstar he is a world champion winning the world one mile was a wonderful stepping stone the black press urged Major Taylor to go overseas and compete against the white Riders and and show the world that you are without a peer a lot of the top Racers were in Europe and um he he needed to to level up to get to the next level and that's where they action was by the time Taylor had captured the global Title in 1

899 several other promoters were eager to sign and advocate for him in races all over the world Major Taylor the colored cyclist who holds the national professional championship at one mile expects to sail for France within a fortnight he is prepared to begin the journey as soon as the Parisian syndicate with which he is under contract fulfills that part of the agreement which amounts to $110,000 the young man with staunch Christian principles will compete on European race tracks for 2 months wi

th no Sunday races on the program wer spy March 1901 he refused the Sunday competitions it's significant to point out that the entire structure of B bicycle racing was quite literally changed to meet Taylor's demand that's how popular he was after the retirement of American Arthur Zimmerman most racing fans in Europe considered Edmund jacen the reigning champion of France to be the rightful heir to the title world champion jacen had not traveled to Montreal to face Taylor in the world championsh

ips in 1899 but he was the most powerful force on the European circuit and the most likely Foe for an international challenge with major Taylor when he got to France he he was a sensation there weren't that many black people walking on the streets of Paris at this time um but he got incredible coverage and they described him as the most elegant physical specimen that they'd ever seen the French public had read quite a bit about major Taylor's exploits on the track in the United States and uh her

e he was coming to face the great French Champion today will be the fight of two types of athletes who are absolutely different one jacleen is the powerful man extraordinarily muscular the other major tailor is the Thor bread it is the struggle of the two races the black race against the white race L illustr May 1901 The Duel in Paris would feature two separate match races between the American and European Champion the first best of three match was held on May 16th 1901 jacan remembered the fier

ce fight I pushed like a demon he said we were elbow to elbow by the time they crossed the Finish Line in the second heat Jac had prevailed he was so carried away with his victory over me that he lost his head completely and thumbed his nose at me immediately after crossing the tape I was hurt to the quick by his unsportsmanlike conduct and resolved then and there that I would not return home until I had wiped out his insults a Revenge match was set for two weeks later and that time Major Taylor

won the first heat and then on the starting line of the second heat he reached over and shook Jac's hand just to unnerve him to disarm him major Tay wrote about this later in his autobiography as a bit of psychology that's what he called it and it worked Major Taylor won and beat Jac it's an incredible moment Taylor's there he's in the biggest place of racing in the world he becomes this incredible figure uh in World cycling and he races all over Europe after that Taylor traveled by train to de

stinations in other European capitals he defeated the champion ion of Germany the champion of Belgium the champion of Denmark the champion of Italy the champion of England he garnered headlines in papers all over the continent The French Press called him lre volon the black flying machine his face was being seen in newspapers there were many stories being written about him and when he traveled overseas and went when he was in France when he was in Paris he was on the cover of many French Publica

tions Taylor's reception in Europe was Far different than in America overseas he was an object of curiosity and awe he was still the only black face in the crowd but at least in the capitals of Europe Taylor demanded attention respect and many times admiration he is called the holy cyclist a man with such an unusually beautiful physique that we do not recall among all the white sports men who over the years have passed before our eyes seeing anyone whose body Bears such a fine Touch of manly Bea

uty and elegance as this young negro who is among the most advanced individuals of his race L illustr May 1901 you would have to put maor Taylor in at that level at the Muhammad Ali Jack Johnson he'd have to be in at that level because of his experience in his championships he's cycling everywhere he's representing his family he's representing his community but whether white folks liked it or not he was representing the United States on the track Major Taylor was a master of physical training an

d technique away from the track he had many other outside interests his command of the English language was Exquisite and he would write and deliver sermons at local churches all along his journey he gave back to the community he was a poet he spoke three languages he was popular all across the globe uh this was unique at that particular time civil rights Pioneer Booker T Washington once came to the docks in New York City to wish Taylor good luck as he shipped out on one of his European tours an

d later in life former president Theodore Roosevelt on a visit to New England shook Taylor's hand and congratulated him upon being introduced to the late ex-president Roosevelt he grasped my hand with a hearty grip and said Major Taylor I am always delighted to shake the hand of any man who has accomplished something worthwhile in his life I was especially pleased pleased and interested while you were racing abroad defeating all the foreign Champions and carrying the Stars and Stripes to Victory

and then there was Daisy Victoria Morris a young woman who likely met Taylor at a church function in Worcester the two of them met and she was an absolutely gorgeous woman and so it's not surprising that a young major would have kind of you know been tripping over himself to meet her I understand she was incredibly elegant well spoken and he felt ahead over heels they had money they had fine clothes they traveled they were a Class Act I think Taylor's one of the the Trailblazers of um social ju

stice or social activism in sports um you know for him to have that public Persona um for him to excel uh in cycling it's that period of racial uplift and ensuring that um we are presenting our very best through all the trials and tribulations of Jim Crow and cruelty at home to accolades abroad to shaking the hand of Theodore Roosevelt what an inspiring story of perseverance hello I am Kisha Tandy curator of social history at the Indiana State Museum with me is Mark Chilla wtiu director of produ

ction thank you so much Kisha we just learned how Major Taylor used his speed as a defense mechanism on the track he'd hang back in the pocket and make his move at the very end of the race to finish first and of course it was this ability he had developed as a sprinter that gave him his first world title and the moniker the world's fastest man again producer Todd G perfectly encapsulates these moments through interviews narration and stunning visuals this moment for Taylor is cheerful and equall

y sad recounting the moment when they played the national anthem in Montreal he writes I felt even more American at that moment than I had ever felt in America we are thrilled to bring to light the story of this hooer hero but it's it's only here because of Prior support of our members viewer support is the driving force behind the highquality independent programming that makes wtiu such a vital part of this community that's the public television model and you can help us bring the next great ho

your story to screen right now by calling 800 987-9881 show your support of this incredible look at the life and career of Major Taylor and request one of these great thank you gifts Major Taylor champion of the race retraces The Life and Legacy of an American Civil Rights Pioneer who set more than 20 World Records in speed cycling during the heart of the Jim Crow era wtiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hooer hero but it is only possible with your support support local storytelli

ng wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blu-ray this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a world-class athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly anything is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly membership of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle rider in the world

paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a riveting first-person account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 wtiu sustaining membership we will send you the major tayor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with bonus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and an additional book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor by inv

estigative journalist Michael CR a mustre for anyone who loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your hoer Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you those are some wonderful gifts our way of saying thanks for your support right now but first you have to go to wu. org donate or call us at 800 987-9881 this and other local wtiu documentaries episodes of Jour

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overing the new programs everyone is talking about it all starts with your contribution to wtiu support your local PBS station wtiu become a sustaining member and enjoy your favorite shows anytime and anywhere we are grateful for your support during this program in any amount but you can add Major Taylor champion of the race to your home video library on DVD or Blu-ray for a sustaining gift of just $7 a month this film is narrated by acclaimed Opera metso soprano Marietta Simpson with jazz legen

d Branford marceles reading and interpreting written quotes from Major Taylor and five-time Emmy award-winning composer musician Tyron Cooper created the soundtrack each disc contains bonus material not seen in our broadcast including behind the scenes biographies of each of the interview subjects footage of the production crew cataloging the Fair photo archive from Jim amorado and a reading of the full poem a major deal by January York poet laurate for the center for black literature and cultur

e in Indianapolis Indiana and with your qualifying sustaining membership you will unlock unlimited streaming with wtiu passport a treasure Trove of all your PBS favorites on demand call 800 987-9881 .org /d donate right now one of the things I love about this documentary is that it tells the unfiltered truth history is often uncomfortable Taylor endured racial epithets slurs threats and even physical violence in his rise to the upper ranks of the white dominated world of cycling what major Taylo

r referred to as that Dreadful monster of prejudice we learned in this segment even in the somewhat more Progressive state of Massachusetts that Taylor was not welcome in his own neighborhood telling these stories and Shining Light on these injustices is more important now than ever before because only then can we begin to create a level of awareness and understanding this is a commitment wtiu shares with PBS whether it's Ken Burns telling the story of the near eradication of the American buffal

o and the impact on Native Americans Dr Henry Lewis Gates Jr exploring the roots of the Civil Rights Movement within the black church or the story of an abandoned centerpiece of a once thriving African-American community in the local documentary Reviving The West Baden color church together we can shine a beacon on those stories that have been in the shadows for far too long be a hero for wtiu and become our newest sustainer right now at wu. donate or call us at 800 987-9881 records in speed cyc

ling during the heart of the Jim Crow era double tiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hoer hero but it is only possible with your support support local storytelling on wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blu-ray this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a world-class athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly a

nything is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly membership of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle rider in the world paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a riveting first-person account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 wtiu sustaining membership we will send you the major tayor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with

bonus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and an additional book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor by investigative journalist Michael kranish a mustre for anyone who loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your hooer Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you it's almost time for the

conclusion of Major Taylor champion of the race up next we'll see Taylor's Grand reception in Australia a painful setback and his life after competitive racing if you have already given during this program thank you so much if if not there's still time to show your support as we head into the final segment 800 9879 48 or wu. orgon in December 1902 the summer racing series in Australia was kicking off and the continent's top sports promoter asked Taylor to compete in a circuit literally on the ot

her side of the world this time he would be traveling with Daisy on a trip that would also serve as a type of honeymoon with new racist restrictions being adopted into law in Australia Taylor was unsure whether or not he and Daisy would even be allowed into the country the couple was surprised then when the ship eventually pulled into Sydney Harbor I could not restrain my tears as I looked over the side of the liner and saw hundreds of boats decked out with with American flags with their whistle

s tooting and men and women aboard them with megaphones greeting me as they got closer into Port they started seeing just dozens of ships out there and people were cheering and that is the most beautiful moment Australia's top cycling Champion Don Walker would escort the couple to large enthusiastic receptions all over the continent he's treated like royalty he's put up in the best hotels when he arrives in Australia for example in in the harbor there's this Armada of ships that comes out to gre

et him he's given parades when he returns from Australia he takes with him an Australian Championship to be celebrated in France and the UK and Australia where ships are waiting to applaud you I think it's absolutely one of the most phenomenal stories that we've never heard the entire experience was so positive that when Taylor's daughter was born in May 1904 major named her for the city where he received such a glorious greeting Sydney it raised money made money for the promoters but it also cr

eated enormous joy in the black community it it showed that they they could given equal opportunity that they could Excel that they could win that they could overcome their difficulties at the conclusion of the tour Don Walker accompanied the tailor on their Journey Back to America but when they arrived in California the Australian Champion was stunned to see how poorly the tailor were treated in the hotels and restaurants of San Francisco I could hardly blame Walker when he grew indignant after

seeing the treatment of negroes in this country I was unable to explain the conditions satisfactorily for him and the more I tried to smooth over matters the more incensed he became Major Taylor used his position as a cyclist he was someone that promoters had to in many ways accept had to include because he was someone who could attract the crowd who could bring audiences and most importantly he could win this was important that he succeed uh not only professionally but uh that he maintained hi

s character despite the personal attacks you know he maintained his composure matters grew even worse for Major Taylor on his return trip to Sydney The Following Season Floyd McFarland and his sidekick ior Lawson said why should Major Taylor why should that guy why should that black guy be getting all the money in Australia we'll go down there too and race and give him a run for his money of course what makes it even more dangerous for Major Taylor is at any moment he could be the victim of Foul

Play it added a whole another level of skill that major Taylor had to have in addition to his pedaling abilities at One race in Melbourne at McFarland's urging Lawson suddenly swerved and cut off Taylor Knocking him off his bike at more than 40 m an hour Taylor skitted across the track into the gravel infield his skin was torn off his body and he was practically unconscious for more than 2 weeks race promoters paced outside Taylor's hospital room insisting that he leave immediately for a race i

n Adelaide fully banned Ed and barely able to move Taylor slowly made his way from the hospital to the train station despite my best efforts I was unable to leave my bed for a fortnight my doctors informed me that I would be unable to sit in my saddle for 3 weeks for me to compete in this race I would have to leave my cot and travel 500 miles for the event Australian race officials were shocked by the actions of Lawson and McFarland they imposed warnings and fines then eventually banned Lawson f

rom Australian competition Taylor did arrive in Adelaide bloody and heavily bandaged then remarkably won the race all the racism took its toll on Major Taylor there were the physical injuries there were also the psychic abrasions he came back and he basically said I almost had a breakdown and for several years he didn't race but it was what he himself described you know as one of the darkest periods of his life Major Taylor came home from that season in Australia on the verge of a nervous breakd

own you could say that racis broke him from the remainder of the 1904 season through all of 1906 Taylor did not Mount his bicycle for a single official competition little did my friends realize the great physical strain I labored under nor did they seem to realize the great mental strain that beset me in those races and the utter exhaustion which I felt on many occasions both on and off the track in most of my races I not only struggled for victory but also for my very life and limb the mental t

oll the physical toll all that he's having to deal with is coming to ahead the years of travel the years of maintaining a regiment a training regiment and all those things coming together in the spring of 1907 with encouragement from his wife Daisy Taylor grudgingly committed to a new European tour but he was in no real condition to return to International competition on this trip Daisy and Sydney remained in Massachusetts while Taylor dejected and alone attempted to navigate a long and lonely E

uropean tour this time Major Taylor did not have the clout to get no Sundays in his contract so he ends up racing on Sundays and he did not feel good about it his letters home to Daisy were lonely and Melancholy he was now competing against European Champions who were almost 10 years younger than he was the demands of the European racing circuit proved to be too much Taylor decided to retire from competitive cycling in 1909 at the age of 31 only my dauntless courage and the indomitable fighting

spirit I possessed allowed me to carry on in the face of tremendous odds my trying experiences on the tracks had exacted their toll from me and I was certain the day had come for me to step out of the sporting Limelight father time was gaining on me by 1926 six Taylor was no longer able to earn money from racing and many of his early business ventures failed to take off his finances had dried up though Daisy and Marshall never officially divorced she felt that she needed to take her daughter and

leave wer in order to secure a job and raise money to help pay for Sydney's education they moved to New York City an action that devastated Taylor who never lost his love passion or dedication to his wife and daughter water Taylor had just completed his autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and he sought out new opportunities in one of the top industrial centers in the United States Chicago he had an idea for an automobile Tire basically a precursor of what we call nowadays a ste

el belted radio and he had a prototype and he had big investors he invested a lot of his own money as well his idea essentially was overtaken by other technological advances and did not get Beyond a prototype so he lost a big investment on that he rented a place at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in the bronzville District on the city's south side but soon the financial pressures of the Great Depression coupled with several diseases and a weakened heart resulted in Taylor checking into the charity ward o

f a Chicago hospital it's a tough ending to the story but he said again and again he wanted people to focus on you know what he accomplished that he had a message and that message was that if you were given a fair Shake um if you were given equal chances that that's all that was wanted that that's what his story should be about Taylor was not able to bounce back from all that was keeping him down he died on June 21st 1932 at the age of 53 he was buried in an unmarked paers grave at the Mount Gle

nwood cemetery on Chicago's Southside Major Taylor is the world champion bicycle racer who came up the hard way without hatred in his heart he was an honest courageous God-fearing clean living gentlemanly athlete a credit to his race we can certainly be inspired by Major Taylor and we can take all of those things athlete husband father man of Faith all of those things can be inspirational to us he chipped away at it and others chip away at it we're still chipping away at it we still are fighting

racism we we still need more examples of people who are willing to go out front and be the first one in some category um to break the barrier more than a decade passed before a group of old cycling veterans partnered with Frank Schwin of the Schwin bicycle company to dedicate a new Memorial plaque marking the contributions of the man many considered to be the greatest bicycle racer in the world Major Taylor is one of the great civil rights icons just as other great black athletes after him uh J

esse Owens Jackie Robinson Muhammad Ali on and on his story you know he was the path breaker he was the one leading that slipstream you know in a race for racial Justice and equality what major Taylor did was to show that it's not only important of what you do as an athlete competitively but what you give back to the community he in many ways became the role model for that early on in the history of American sport Mr Speaker today I Rise to introduce the bipartisan Marshall Major Taylor Congress

ional gold medal act the highest honor this body can bestow upon an American Major Taylor was the greatest athlete of his era America's first Sports Superstar and a world champion but he's been left out of our history books we need to bring him out of the shadows and recognize his greatness both on and off the track the gold medal is to seek recognition it's our nation's highest honor for the uh civilian population and if there's someone that has truly exemplified America's greatness uh America'

s story uh America's hope I would want more people to be inspired by the Life and Legacy of major Marshall Taylor welcome to the honor Major Taylor Fondo by the second decade of the 21st century major Taylor's Legacy gained a Resurgence in popularity that would be hard to imagine at the time of his death in 1932 Major Taylor cycling events held in several large cities across the us annually attract hundreds of participants every year large murals in places like Indianapolis and Chicago remember

Taylor's Time Racing in these and other towns a permanent major tayor museum opened in Worster Massachusetts in the fall of 2021 other educational and historical exhibits have been featured in Indianapolis Indiana and in ruai France other cycling groups Across the Nation invoke the spirit of major tailor in their mission and organized events we say a lot of times the black Rosy bike that there's power in showing up there's power in numbers um we say that you know sometimes riding your bike is an

act of Revolution and so I I draw the parallel there because the fact that we exist creates space it creates representation Major Taylor is known as the fastest man in the world for him to achieve despite racial discrimination that he experienced in this time period um and to still uh have that uh that gumption to keep going um but also the the ability to be able to challenge that racism and I think that uh that's one of the things that makes him that Trailblazer what do it profit a man to gain

the world and keep his soul intact to have and hold the keys to his Destiny in his back pocket is it money is the reward in the revolution major Taylor's canvas was a bike and he fought in the whitewash game of cycling using his colored brush hands to paint a more accurate picture of the black man Major Taylor gave history to Paris and toured the many floors of Europe but remained a proud black American major light shining so brightly that only the sun could rival the speed of which it travels

Global Boy Wonder top speed black magic on brand this is Major Taylor the world's fastest man for him to compete and succeed the way he did you know he had to be an incredible human being and and also just an absolute Rock mentally and that's something that is um is pretty unique and special and did make a difference in the history of uh of the Sports World and and hopefully in society at large all major Taylor wanted was an equal shot and all people like major Taylor want is an equal shot um an

d once given that opportunity uh he proved himself and I think he would look to everyone else and say this is what they can do I felt I had my day and a wonderful day it was too as I think back over those old days I have no retrospective regrets I am a negro in every sense of the word and I am not sorry sorry that I am we do have numerous white friends and sympathizers together we are doing all in our power to bring about a new error with regard to equal rights and the Brotherhood of all mankind

regardless of creed race or color Marshall Major Taylor although the recognition might have been a little late the legacy of Major Taylor lives on through exhibitions cycling events murals and documentaries like this one hello again I'm wtiu director of production Mark Chilla alongside Kish aandi curator of social history at the Indiana State Museum this story and others can easily be lost to the passage of time if not for those willing to keep them alive this documentary weaves all of the info

rmation that was written by and about Major Taylor into a cohesive narrative that's easy to follow and understand it also gives the viewer historical context for the Prejudice and blatant racism that existed at the time Major Taylor wanted this story to be told he wrote I pray they will carry on in spite of that dread F monster Prejudice and with patience courage fortitude and perseverance achieve success for themselves amidst the worst circumstances you could imagine Taylor became the best help

us keep important inspiring stories like this alive for future Generations call us at 800 987-9881 show our gratitude Major Taylor champion of the race retraces The Life and Legacy of an American Civil Rights Pioneer who set more than 20 World Records in speed cycling during the heart of the Jim Crow era wtiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hoer hero but it is only possible with your support support local storytelling on wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will

send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blu-ray this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a worldclass athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly anything is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly membership of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle rider in the world paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a

riveting first-person account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 wtiu sustaining membership we will send you the major tailor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with bonus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle writer in the world and an additional book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor by investigative journalist Michael kranish a mustre for anyone who

loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your hoer Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you at a time when there are efforts to twist history or erase it Al together we as Citizens need to step up to support quality fact based documentaries like major Taylor champion of the race that's why I was thrilled when wtiu took on this project and was so happy to b

e a part of it it takes all of us to document and preserve our local history for future Generations that's what makes public television so special it allows you the viewer to participate in this important Mission you are the reason public television is a media service like no other but we rely on your support your financial contributions allow us to produce and program the content that you see every day on wtiu local shows like Indiana news desk Journey Indiana wtiu kids and all your favorites f

rom PBS like Masterpiece dramas nature Nova Ken Burns Finding Your Roots and important documentaries from Henry Lewis Gates Jr like making Black America and gospel call 8987 9848 or go to wu. orgon right now besides the thank you gift of your choice your qualifying monthly sustaining membership has some other added benefits such as the wtiu member card discounts on lodging restaurants and services throughout South Central Indiana from local businesses that support the value of wtiu in our commun

ity and this benefit is always at your fingertips with the member card app for iPhone phone or Android let's learn a bit more about all the benefits of wtiu membership now is the time to become a sustaining member of wtiu and support the programs you love your qualifying contribution to wtiu will open a world of streaming programming thanks to wtiu passport instant access to stream your favorite shows like Masterpiece Nova and so much more available on your smartphone Apple TV Roku or just about

without any connected device you will also receive our program guide delivered to your mailbox each and every month never miss your favorite shows again and stay up to date on all the great programming wtiu offers and of course there is the wtiu member card our most popular benefit of membership this exclusive member benefit entitles you to a wide array of dining lodging and entertainment Savings in South Central Indiana that's two for one dining two for one admission two for one lodging and mo

re all of this can be yours but first you need to pick up the phone and join the thousands of other hoer families who support wtiu become a wtiu sustainer today and start enjoying all the benefits investigative journalist Michael cranes is featured prominently throughout this documentary I highly recommend his book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor America's first first black sports hero for those wanting to learn even more about major Taylor's life and his i

mpact on the World of Sports kranish follows Taylor from bicycle Row in segregated Indianapolis to worldwide success abroad revealing never before uncovered details of Taylor's life through a rare interview with his daughter Sydney and you can receive this book with our thanks when you request the major Taylor collection with your sustaining gift of $20 a month or more it comes along with today's program plus bonus material on DVD or Blu-ray and major Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle r

ider in the world it's a great package and the perfect collection for any history buff student teacher or psychist 800 9879 48 or WT i.org donate let's take one final look at those great thank you gifts Major Taylor champion of the race retraces The Life and Legacy of an American Civil Rights Pioneer who set more than 20 World Records in speed cycling during the heart of the Jim Crow era wtiu is thrilled to bring you this story of a true hooer hero but it is only possible with your support suppo

rt local storytelling on wtiu with a monthly sustaining membership of $7 and we will send you Major Taylor champion of the race on DVD or blue this film follows Taylor from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis to becoming a worldclass athlete many dubbed the fastest man in the world showing the world that if given the opportunity truly anything is possible this DVD contains bonus material not seen in the broadcast for a sustaining monthly membership of $10 we will send you the fastest bicycle r

ider in the world paperback book this autobiography self-published in 1928 gives a riveting first-person account of Taylor's rise to the highest level of professional cycling for a $20 wtiu sustaining membership we will send you the major tayor collection which includes the DVD or Blu-ray of Major Taylor champion of the race complete with bonus material Taylor's autobiography the fastest bicycle rider in the world and an additional book the world's fastest man the extraordinary life of cyclist M

ajor Taylor by investigative journalist Michael cranes a mustre for anyone who loves reading about overcoming adversity Against All Odds wtiu has been your Hooser Storyteller for over 50 years keep this resource strong for years to come by becoming a sustainer or increasing your monthly donation now and thank you wtiu and PBS through the Excellence of their programming and the fact that they tell stories of Local Heroes I really appreciate wtiu's commitment to Bringing those kinds of stories and

projects to the public things that challenge us to do better to be better to see our neighbors to hear quality stories uh and to be involved with each other to make the world a better place and that's why it's important where else can you get the kind of programming to come into your house you don't even have to leave your house to receive this kind of culture this kind of political conversation it's really important for each of us to step up and participate in funding those things that are imp

ortant to us so I would encourage everybody to support wtiu if you took the opportunity to join wtiu for the first time or you increased your monthly contribution during this program thank you so much you are making an important investment in the programming you value once again again I'd like to thank Kisha for joining us thank you it was my pleasure thank you for watching if you haven't made that move from viewer to viewer member yet now is the time to get involved Be A Champion for wtiu with

your gift of support at 800 9879 48 or visit our secure website at wu. donate thank you major funding for this program is made possible by the Allen White Hill Clues charitable Foundation as it continues Mr clu's Legacy of philanthropy in promoting and preserving Arts and Humanities in Indianapolis information at aw Clues cf. org additional funding is provided by the IU student Foundation presenting the little 500 Collegiate bike race since 1951 supporting students in leadership and philanthropy

since 1949 details at uf. indiana.edu the AL cobine recognition endowment fund Indiana Public Broadcasting stations the wfiu wtiu documentary programs fund and wtiu members like you thank you