![]() As much as Kato inspired young Black viewers, Black men also had an impact on Lee. Our other fighting superhero, who was Chinese, was gone but not forgotten. The Green Hornet was canceled after the 1966-67 TV season. In April 1967, Ali’s heavyweight title was stripped, robbing us young Black boys and girls of a fighting role model. Three weeks after Kato whupped Robin, champion boxer Muhammad Ali defeated Zora Folley in what would be his final fight of the decade. In the era of three TV networks, it was the kick seen around the world. “You see Kato kick Robin?” It also helped foster Black interest in East Asian martial arts. A lot of us children reenacted that moment in the streets or playgrounds the next day. But “the kick” solidified the fandom, and gave us a moment. We watched Kato to see what he would do next. ![]() In his black suit, black beret and black mask, Kato was already becoming a symbol of smooth in Black communities. Lee portrayed Kato, and when the Chinese fighter kicked the All-American Robin halfway across the room, Black viewers were excited. In a fight scene that surprised most viewers, the Green Hornet’s sidekick and chauffeur Kato got the best of Batman’s “Dynamic Duo” partner Robin, using the karate that Kato was associated with. On March 2, 1967, the two stars of ABC series The Green Hornet, Van Williams and Lee, were guest stars on another ABC series, Batman. The mutually beneficial relationship began before Lee was famous, and at the height of the U.S. Actor Bruce Lee, who died 50 years ago on July 20, 1973, had an indelible impact on the Black community, and in turn, Black fighters influenced his style.
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