Harlem Through Two Lenses: Exploring the Legacy of Bumpy Johnson

Analyzing How Media Reflects on History in Pop Culture

by Cebelihle Hlatshwayo

When analyzing the movie Hoodlum and the TV show “Godfather of Harlem,” the key difference in the depiction of Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson is how they frame his motivations, his involvement in the life of crime, and his impact on Harlem. Hoodlum chronicles his infamous rise within the criminal world in the 1930s, showing how his initial intention to protect and serve the community was quickly overshadowed by hunger for power. Contrastingly, Godfather of Harlem presents a more layered version of Bumpy, emphasizing the difficulty of balancing being a feared head of a criminal organization with his desire to better his community. Both adaptations of Bumpy Johnson’s life show a complicated legacy as both a hero and harm to his community. 

In Hoodlum, we see Bumpy Johnson during the early days of his rise in the 1930s. His criminal actions are framed as a response to the limited opportunities left for Black men in a racially oppressive system. Early in the film, Bumpy says, “The only world the white man left me is the underworld," This quote underpins that the life of crime is, for black men in the 1930s, not a choice born out of desire but of necessity. At first, Bumpy’s actions are shown as selfless, driven by his loyalty to Harlem and his determination to protect its people. He uses money stolen during gang wars to give back to the community. However, as the story continues, his hunger for power grows, causing him to drift away from his original mission. The community begins to fear him more than they respect him. He harms those he cherishes the most for this power for his desire’s sake. His journey shows how someone can start with good intentions but lose sight of them when power becomes the ultimate goal. Hoodlum does not shy away from revealing the ugly reality of fighting fire, with fire only serving to destroy everything in its path despite the initial intentions being to do good.

In Contrast, Godfather of Harlem is more nuanced as we are introduced to Bumpy Johnson in the 1960s, who has amassed immense wealth and built an empire with his criminal exploits. However, Harlem still struggles with poverty, racism, and drugs—issues that he has played a role in creating. The series shows his crimes as a way to achieve larger goals, like supporting the civil rights movement and Black liberation. However, the show also goes into depth about how his criminal activities devastate the community through the destruction of his relationship with his daughter. Unlike in Hoodlum, where ambition drives his actions, Godfather of Harlem presents him as someone still trying to help Harlem while dealing with the weight of his choices affecting the community and his family. 

In both Hoodlum and Godfather of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson’s story reflects the dual nature of his legacy. He is both a savior and a destroyer of Harlem. His contributions, like funding education and supporting civil rights, are overshadowed by the harm caused by gang wars and drugs. While Hoodlum focuses on how ambition can erode good intentions, Godfather of Harlem shows a man trying to uplift Harlem on a larger scale despite his flaws. Still, in both stories, the harm often outweighs the good, leaving his legacy complicated and his impact on Harlem unresolved.