50 Years to the Day; Dr. John Carlos and the 1968 Olympic Demonstrations
- Uncategorized, Blog Updates, Hear 2 Help You, Standard Blog
- 1968 mexico, black power, black power salute, Colin Kapernick, Dr. John Carlos, johncarlos68, Know Your Rights, liwi68, Mark Stoddart, mexico city, olympic games, Peter Norman, Tommie Smith
- October 17, 2018
Dr. John Carlos and the 1968 Olympic Demonstrations
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“No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.” – George Washington Carver
The 60’s were a turbulent time in human history. We stress, human history and not just in the America’s because impactful events took place around the world.
Here’s a list of a few of them:
In Africa alone, 12 countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Botswana, Gambia and Swaziland) were granted independence through the years of 1960-1967.
The independence fever made its way to the Caribbean through the years of 1962-1966 with Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana & Barbados.
The Cuban missile crisis in 1962 had America thinking twice.
In the summer of 1965, Amherstburg, Ontario experienced a cross burning on the lawn of the Black Baptist Church.
That same year, the world witnessed the assassination of Malcolm X.
In 1966, our first black superhero, Black Panther was created in the summer and in October, real life hero’s, the Black Panther Political Party was formed.
But In 1968, there were a number of culminating events which shook the entire world.
April 4th the assassination of Martin Luther King, and a couple days later Bobby Hutton of the Black Panther Party dies in a shootout with Oakland Police.
June 5th, Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles and on June 25, Pierre Trudeau becomes Prime Minister for the first time, beginning a new era in immigrant policies.
But on October 16th, 50 years ago to be exact, at the Mexico City Olympic Games, three young men made a speechless demonstration that was seen and heard around the world.
It was the first year that the games were televised, and a very tense 200 meter finals just came to a close. Tommie Smith had come from behind to beat a bewildered John Carlos. Australian record-holder, Peter Norman was able to squeeze out a second place finish, leaving John Carlos to finish 3rd.
Although entertaining, the race was secondary to what would transpire. The three men walked to the podium, received their medals, and turned to the crowd. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in what is to be called the most iconic event in history.
Armed with symbolism, the intricacy of their gestures are decoded below:
Unwavering and steadfast, these 3 men showed the world what selfless sacrifice truly means.
“I remember telling Tommie, ‘Look man, if someone has a rifle and they’re going to shoot us, remember as sprinters we are trained to listen to the gun. So you keep that foremost in your mind.”
“That’s why my hand was not raised straight up — it was at an angle so, if someone tried to attack me, I would be able to defend myself.” – Dr. John Carlos
The demonstration of ’68, touched so many lives and forged a partnership between 3 soldiers of social change.
Our guest this week, Mark Stoddart from LIWI68, joins us to share his special connection to the man himself, Dr. John Carlos and shed some light on his sacrifice, 50 years later.
We here at Hear 2 Help were so happy to be apart of this historic occasion.
So will you.
