By 3D North Star Freedom File
The death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has sent waves through pop culture, but in Black communities, the response has been anything but unified. For many, it’s a moment to reflect on the complicated legacy of a man who was once a hero to millions—and later a symbol of betrayal and racism.
The Icon Who Entertained
In the 1980s and 90s, Hulk Hogan was a larger-than-life figure who transcended the squared circle. Black kids across America were just as likely as anyone else to mimic his flexes, tear their shirts, and shout “Whatcha gonna do, brother?!” when hyped up. Hogan was a Saturday morning cartoon come to life—a superhero in bandanas and neon yellow tights. Wrestling was a shared cultural space, and Hogan was the face of it.
“You couldn’t tell me nothing as a kid,” said one fan on social media. “Hulk was it. I believed in the good guy winning because of him.”
For many Black millennials and Gen Xers, those early memories are real and cherished. They recall a time when kayfabe ruled, and Hogan’s larger-than-life battles brought joy in living rooms across America, regardless of race.
The Fall from Grace
But the love began to unravel in 2015, when a leaked audio recording revealed Hogan making disgustingly racist remarks—including the N-word and a rant about not wanting his daughter to date a Black man. It was more than a PR crisis—it was a gut punch to many of the same fans who once idolized him.
WWE distanced itself from Hogan for a time, scrubbing him from their Hall of Fame and programming. But as is often the case in celebrity culture, the banishment was temporary. Hogan was quietly reinstated in 2018, and though some fans welcomed him back, others never forgot—or forgave.
“Let’s be clear,” one Twitter user wrote, “Hulk Hogan died in 2015 when that audio came out. This is just the obituary.”
A Complicated Legacy
There’s no denying Hogan’s impact on wrestling, pop culture, and entertainment. But impact doesn’t equate to immunity from accountability. Black audiences, in particular, have long memories—and for many, Hogan’s comments weren’t just offensive, they were revealing.
“This wasn’t a slip-up,” said a commentator on TikTok. “It showed who he really was behind the ‘say your prayers and eat your vitamins’ act. That wasn’t just a character—racism was part of the man.”
And yet, the reaction isn’t completely monolithic. Some Black fans express a level of forgiveness or at least contextualization.
“Am I mad at Hulk Hogan forever? No,” one Reddit commenter shared. “But did he lose my respect? Absolutely. I can remember the childhood joy and still hold him accountable.”
Black Grief, Black Boundaries
In Black America, grief is never just about the person who died—it’s about what they represented, what they said, what they did. And Hogan’s death forces a reckoning: How do we mourn someone who entertained us while also disrespecting us?
Some are choosing silence. Others are cracking jokes or reposting memes saying, “He’s in the big racist ring in the sky now.” Still, others are urging nuance.
“He was a product of his time, but that doesn’t excuse it,” said a Black wrestling podcaster. “We can acknowledge his legacy and still name the harm. That’s what grown folks do.”
Final Bell
As tributes pour in from the wrestling world, the mixed response from Black fans is a reminder that cultural icons don’t belong to just one group—and neither does the pain they cause. Hulk Hogan’s death closes a chapter in wrestling history. But the story of race, fame, and forgiveness in Black America? That’s still being written.
