The "Grave Dancing" Phenomenon

• 💀 Many people engaged in "grave dancing" upon Hulk Hogan's death, fueled by years of "Hulkamania" jokes and memes.
• ✍️ Columnist Ethan Strauss criticized this behavior, deeming it small, but Bomani Jones disagreed, arguing the focus should be on why people felt compelled to do so.
• 🌐 The internet and constant connectivity are seen as contributing factors to increased public inclination towards such behavior.

The Mystery of Hulk Hogan's Popularity

• 🤔 Bomani Jones grappled with explaining Hulk Hogan's immense popularity, even after learning about his racist remarks and the scripted nature of wrestling.
• 🌟 Despite acknowledging Hogan was a "bad wrestler" and not as charismatic as Ric Flair, his "Hulkamania" character resonated deeply.
• 🇺🇸 Hogan's persona was positioned as a patriotic, Captain America-like figure during the 1980s, fighting against Soviet-aligned characters, which resonated during geopolitical tensions.

The Impact of Hulkamania's Racism

• 💔 The revelation of Hulk Hogan's racism, particularly his heel turn with the nWo in 1996, was deeply disappointing and jarring for many fans, akin to discovering Santa Claus was a pimp.
• 😔 Even with the understanding that wrestling is scripted, fans felt a level of trust and care for the character that made these revelations particularly hurtful.
• 🗣️ For Black individuals, discovering a perceived "white homie" like Hogan harbored racist views felt like a unique sting and betrayal.

Legacy and Public Perception

• 🎭 The concept of "legacy" for a professional wrestler like Hulk Hogan is questioned, especially when compared to figures like Muhammad Ali.
• ⚖️ While some argue that racism is a legacy for those who exhibit it, Bomani suggests legacy is a consensus, not solely a personal idea, citing R. Kelly and James Brown as examples.
• 🎤 Hogan's refusal to properly pronounce Kamala Harris's name and his racist remarks, coupled with his past comments about his daughter dating a "n-word," highlight his unwillingness to atone or change his public image.
• 🤥 Hogan was known for telling elaborate lies, including claiming he was almost Metallica's bassist, indicating a pattern of fabricating narratives.