United States History
By: Elena Cantwell
The 1968 Olympic Games Protest
Tommie Smith and John Carlos
During the 1968 Olympic Games, held in Mexico City, controversy and the Civil Rights movement in the United States extended impact towards a global and national stage. Many potential Olympic athletes who were African American made the decision to boycott these games, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in order to address their concerns over discrimination, racism, and injustice (Anderson, 61). Smith and Carlos were two Olympic runners who decided to participate in the games, but found another way to support their cause while still running for an Olympic title. Smith winning gold and Carlos winning bronze, both athletes had an opportunity to represent a symbolic protest after the 200-meter dash awards ceremony ("Olympic Boycott"). The men took off their shoes to represent African American poverty and struggle, and Carlos even unzipped his jacket, a violation of Olympic code, to represent the working class. The two runners each put a black glove on their hand and raised their fists during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", to symbolize strength and unity (Barra). Like many other American Civil Rights Activists, they felt a "responsibility for preserving precious heritage" (Brinkley, 793).
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Summary of the Silent Protest
Smith and Carlos were members of the Olympic project for Human Rights, which was specifically organized to draw attention to the racism within sports and society. Athletes in this group were not just blacks, many others were a part of this movement trying to bring racial equality. However, in this protest, Smith and Carlos were the only partaking demonstrators. Many say that actions speak louder than words. Instead of resorting to a violent or even blunt demonstration, Smith and Carlos decided to make a small gesture to protest and raise awareness to the unfair treatment of Blacks in America. The runners received permission from their coach to wear black socks, but their coach, Payton Jordan, had no idea of their plans. The men took off their shoes, and each displayed a black glove on their hand. Once the anthem began to play, the runners raised their fists. As Smith says in a later interview, the portrayal was not meant to be a "Black Power Salute" or any kind of unpatriotic anti-American stunt, the runners intended no hostility or hate in their actions, but this is not how many Americans or even the media interpreted this silent but strong protest (Barra).
Consequences
The United States was already greatly divided after the tragedies in Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Smith and Carlos were then put under intense pressure, even receiving death threats in a backlash against their protest. Because it was viewed as unpatriotic and unnecessary by many, these seemingly racist people made the runners lives very difficult. Because they violated Olympic code and all athletes were asked not to have any demonstrations because the Olympics would be on a National scale, this protest by the former runners ultimately ruined their careers by these actions. This protest was not very successful due to the fact that they received so much backlash and their demonstration was viewed as anti-American and hateful. It was silent, and their actions contained much symbolism and personal input. Smith and Carlos wanted their action to be seen at a National level to raise awareness for their cause, racism in society and in sports, and to some degree the awareness was raised, but as a result of getting in trouble with the Olympic Committee, many did not take this protest seriously, making it ineffective (Davis).
Goals of the Protest
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To raise awareness to social injustice and also in the sports realm
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Put an end to racism
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To restrain from a violent protest or outbreak
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To bring awareness to the OPHR (Olympic Project for Human Rights)
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To prove Black equality in ability