tommiesmith

Fists in the Air

African-American track athletes Tommie Smith (first place) and John Carlos (third place) used their wins in Mexico City’s 1968 Olympic Games to show their opposition to the continued oppression of blacks in the U.S. They stood in black socks to represent black poverty; Carlos wore beads to symbolize black lynchings; together they raised their black-gloved fists in a cry for black unity. The silver medalist on the podium, Australian Peter Norman, wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on his tracksuit in solidarity. It cost him a hero’s welcome upon his return home. Both Smith and Carlos were removed from the Games; none of the three men ever recanted their stances.

Taken from http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1906434_1861262,00.html

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