Why is John Henry a folk hero exactly?

[Darunia]

Imagine in the distant future when some history teacher, desperate to get their student's attention, brings up, in as dry a fasion as possible, how "back around the turn of the millenium, people often would describe how daring or courageous someone is by saying they have "large" or "great" testicles.

You honestly think that'll go out of fashion one day?


I think we can safely assume this isn't the case, because John Henry's fame began (and was arguably greater) back in the days when being black was definitely not en vogue.

The legends began back then to be sure, but it is only recently that it's been a movie. Also, we're talking about its contemporary popularity. How can you be so sure that his fame was arguably greater then?