Power Of 1968: Tommy Smith And John Carlos

Megan Conner
Mrs.Henderson
CWR 8
14 March,2018

The Power of 1968

1968. A time known for hippies, going to the moon, and something as simple as a black glove symbol. The need for a change was waiting to happen, and in 1968 the start of one did. One of the biggest events that started to show the change was during the summer olympics that year. Tommy Smith and John Carlos showed the whole world something quite powerful without even saying a single word. Doing so would change the life of three mens in both good and bad. The black salute Tommie Smith and John Carlos portrayed in the 1969 summer Olympics has helped shape the equality we have today and has inspired people to show their courage and what they believe in.

Mexico City in 1968 was

He was one out of the twelve kids growing up in a small household. At a young age Tommy had a serious case of pneumonia, but was back on his feet in no time. In highschool he made a name for himself while playing football and running sprints in track at Lemoore High School. After graduating Tommie went on to go to San José State University where he ran track. Here he set multiple records in sprinting and relay events and also broke or tied 13 world records Smith was born for greatness and his mind was set on the gold medal at the summer olympics. At the 200 meter race, where he later would do the silent protest, he not only won gold, but also broke the Olympic-record time of 19.83 seconds. During an interview with Smith after the Olympics Tommie stated, "On the track you are Tommie Smith, the fastest man in the world, but once you are in the dressing rooms you are nothing more than a dirty Negro." This shows that not even after winning gold Tommie wasn't treated equal to other athletes who were white. After the salute Tommie was banned from even competing in the olympics again, but nobody could ever stop what his powerful message helped show.

A year later in 1945 John Carlos was born in Harlem,New York. At his high school, Machine Trade and Medical High School, Carlos was a star football player and runner. After graduating he would also attend San José State University while running for their track and field program with Tommie Smith. In 1967 during the Pan American games located in Winnipeg, Manitoba,Canada, Carlos won gold in the 200 meter dash. The same year during the indoor track and field season he set two world records. One in the 60 yard dash with a time of 5.9 seconds .and the 220 yard dash with a time of 21.2