White Men Who Stood for the Truth, No Matter the Cost
Howard Cosell and Charles Sumner: White Men Who Stood for the Truth, No Matter the Cost
© Ogbonna Paul Hagins for Philly Word Magazine and Freedmen’s Journal 2.0
Throughout history, there have been white men who refused to follow the crowd, who stood on principle even when it cost them friendships, influence, and safety.
Two such men—separated by time but united in courage—are Howard Cosell, the fearless sports journalist, and Charles Sumner, the bold senator who fought for the 13th Amendment and the rights of American Freedmen.
Charles Sumner: A Statesman Who Defied the System
Charles Sumner was not just another politician. At a time when even so-called abolitionists hesitated to push for full freedom and equality, Sumner led the charge.
He didn’t just support emancipation; he wanted to ensure that Freedmen received full citizenship, economic inclusion, and legal protection under the Civil Rights Act of 1866. He was one of the first to fight against the badges and incidents of slavery, knowing that ending physical bondage wasn’t enough—true freedom required economic and political power.
Sumner wasn’t just a speaker; he was a fighter. He was brutally beaten on the Senate floor by pro-slavery Congressman Preston Brooks for standing up against the expansion of slavery.
Instead of backing down, he returned to the Senate even more determined. He was one of the first to introduce the 13th Amendment, knowing it would change the very foundation of America.
His fight wasn’t popular. Many in his own party thought he was pushing too hard, too fast. But Sumner understood something critical: justice delayed is justice denied. He refused to slow down or compromise on Freedmen’s rights—even when others told him to “be patient.”
Howard Cosell: A Journalist Who Stood Alone
Like Sumner, Howard Cosell refused to follow the script. In the world of sports journalism—where most white reporters treated Muhammad Ali as a villain—Cosell stood by Ali when it mattered most. He didn’t just call Ali by his chosen name; he defended his right to refuse the Vietnam draft, a stance that cost Ali his championship title and nearly his career.
While other journalists either attacked Ali or abandoned him, Cosell gave him airtime, calling out the hypocrisy of those who praised Ali’s skill but condemned his stance. He was relentless in exposing racism in sports, much like Sumner was relentless in exposing the political structures that upheld slavery.
Cosell, like Sumner, faced backlash. Other journalists mocked him. Sports networks pressured him. But he refused to change course, because for him, truth was more important than popularity.
The Fight for Freedmen Rights and the Pretenders Who Flee
Both men share something rare: they didn’t run when the heat turned up. Sumner was nearly killed for his beliefs, yet he returned to the Senate stronger. Cosell was ridiculed, yet he continued to challenge the system.
Contrast that with today. Many claim to fight for American Freedmen. They talk about the 13th Amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the need for real economic repair. But when it’s time to put in real work
—to stand against elected officials who ignore Freedmen, to hold the system accountable—they disappear. Some even hijack the movement with conspiracies about secret societies, birth certificates, and mystical nonsense, derailing real progress.
The truth is, when the fight gets real, only the real fighters remain. Cosell didn’t need the approval of other journalists. Sumner didn’t care if Congress turned against him. They stood firm on principle.
The American Freedmen movement needs more Cosells and Sumners, not those who flee when the heat rises. The question is: Who will stay in the fight when it matters most?
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