1968: Olympic "Black Power" Salute...

[ChefChiTown]

I was born in 1981, so this happened before I was even alive. I have never heard this story until now, when I saw it on SportsCenter.

On the morning of October 16, 1968,[2] American athlete Smith won the 200 metre race in a then-world-record time of 19.83 seconds, with Australia's Peter Norman second with a time of 20.06 seconds, and American Carlos in third place with a time of 20.10 seconds. After the race was completed, the three went to collect their medals at the podium. The two American athletes received their medals shoeless, but wearing black socks, to represent black poverty.[3] Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent black pride.[3] Carlos had his tracksuit top unzipped to show solidarity with all blue collar workers in America. Furthermore, Carlos wore beads which he described "were for those individuals that were lynched, or ****** that no-one said a prayer for, that were hung and tarred. It was for those thrown off the side of the boats in the middle passage."[4] All three athletes wore Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) badges, after Norman expressed sympathy with their ideals. Sociologist Harry Edwards, the founder of the OPHR, had urged black athletes to boycott the games; reportedly, the actions of Smith and Carlos on October 16, 1968[2] were inspired by Edwards' arguments.[5]

Both Americans intended on bringing black gloves to the event, but Carlos forgot his, leaving them in the Olympic Village. It was the Australian, Peter Norman, who suggested Carlos wear Smith's left-handed glove, this being the reason behind him raising his left hand, as opposed to his right, differing from the traditional Black Power salute.[citation needed] When "The Star-Spangled Banner" played, Smith and Carlos delivered the salute with heads bowed, a gesture which became front page news around the world. As they left the podium they were booed by the crowd.[6] Smith later said "If I win, I am American, not a black American. But if I did something bad, then they would say I am a Negro. We are black and we are proud of being black. Black America will understand what we did tonight."[3]

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I'm all for being proud of yourself and "where you come from", in respect to your heritage and ******, but...don't flaunt it. I know that a lot of people have a high amount of respect for these two guys, doing what they did, but I don't find it respectful at all.

They were at the Olympics representing the United States of America, NOT black people. They stood on the Olympic Medal podium and raised a "Black Power" fist, claiming that it stood for something other than Black Power. No, that's not how it works.

If I hung a swastika flag outside of my bedroom window, I can't claim that it stands for something else other than showing support for a **** regime and expect people to believe me. That's ridiculous.

I know that saying this will make some view me as being racist and that's fine. Think whatever you want to think about me. But, the fact is, if that was two white guys flashing some sort of "white power" symbol, it would be viewed as one of the most blatantly racist things to ever happen. But, since it was two black guys, it's "heroic" somehow? Nah...that's not how it works.

:2 cents:

 

[Artimus]

I'd be careful here Chef.

None of us know what it was like to be a black person living in 1960s America.

 

[cocklover]

I was born in 1981, so this happened before I was even alive. I have never heard this story until now, when I saw it on SportsCenter.



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I'm all for being proud of yourself and "where you come from", in respect to your heritage and ******, but...don't flaunt it. I know that a lot of people have a high amount of respect for these two guys, doing what they did, but I don't find it respectful at all.

They were at the Olympics representing the United States of America, NOT black people. They stood on the Olympic Medal podium and raised a "Black Power" fist, claiming that it stood for something other than Black Power. No, that's not how it works.

If I hung a swastika flag outside of my bedroom window, I can't claim that it stands for something else other than showing support for a **** regime and expect people to believe me. That's ridiculous.

I know that saying this will make some view me as being racist and that's fine. Think whatever you want to think about me. But, the fact is, if that was two white guys flashing some sort of "white power" symbol, it would be viewed as one of the most blatantly racist things to ever happen. But, since it was two black guys, it's "heroic" somehow? Nah...that's not how it works.

:2 cents:

The thing is, back in the racial conflict in the 60's, white people didn't see black people as American.

You're argument of "if a white person did some sort of white power thing, it would be racist". Think of it as this way, white people are on 100% and the blacks are on 50% after being walled and head-shot by some "hacker" (racists.) Their black power salutes is like a "power-up" to reach 100%.

(My bf plays alot of online games, lol.)

 

[ChefChiTown]

The thing is, back in the racial conflict in the 60's, white people didn't see black people as American.

You're argument of "if a white person did some sort of white power thing, it would be racist". Think of it as this way, white people are on 100% and the blacks are on 50% after being walled and head-shot by some "hacker" (racists.) Their black power salutes is like a "power-up" to reach 100%.

(My bf plays alot of online games, lol.)

I understand that black people were treated differently back in those days, but there's a difference between doing something to gain equality and doing something to flaunt the color of your skin.

Martin Luther King did it correctly. He didn't flaunt his "black pride"...he just took a stand and respectfully made his point that the color of someone's skin shouldn't matter, in respect to how they are treated as a human being. These two guys, on the other hand, made a blatant "black power" statement, not a statement of equality.

Once again, I understand that times were different back then and unless one were to be alive in those days, one wouldn't fully understand exactly what it was like. But, I still think that is was disrespectful.

 

[Galactic]

Chef, me thinks you tread into dangerous territory here. It was 1968. The height of the Civil Rights movement. African Americans were raising not only their fists, but their voices to the entire world, saying Enough! I think while it may be disagreeable to many, you could argue that it would be a mistake, or a missed opportunity at the very least, to not sieze that moment, that chance, at getting your message out. Not all of the folks who subscribed to the Black Power movement and message were violent, but many were people who had had enough of being shoved around, sometimes fatally.

Personally, I can't really say for sure on this topic one way or the other because I am as white as they come. I have never felt the sting of racial prejudice. I have never suffered the *********** and embarrassment of being the subject, the target, of racial slurs flung at me like arrows. I have never had to experience the horror of trying to explain to my ***** why people look at us different, or call us hurtful names because our skin color differs from others. I have never felt the horror at the prospect of feeling as though I was a less-than citizen in a country of many who would see me hang in the dead of night because I looked different than the fools who don robes and masks.

While you may not agree with what they did by raising their fists, you have to admit that that day in Mexico, they silently and peacefully sent a message that was viewed by millions and millions of people. They knew that they would be ostricized. They knew that they would be the target of slander and ****. But they believed in their message THAT much to take a chance as great as they did on the world stage because they felt it was THAT important.

For that, I respect the hell out of those two men for staring down fear, and doing what they felt they must.

 

[Marlo Manson]

I was born in 1981, so this happened before I was even alive. I have never heard this story until now, when I saw it on SportsCenter.



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I'm all for being proud of yourself and "where you come from", in respect to your heritage and ******, but...don't flaunt it. I know that a lot of people have a high amount of respect for these two guys, doing what they did, but I don't find it respectful at all.

They were at the Olympics representing the United States of America, NOT black people. They stood on the Olympic Medal podium and raised a "Black Power" fist, claiming that it stood for something other than Black Power. No, that's not how it works.

If I hung a swastika flag outside of my bedroom window, I can't claim that it stands for something else other than showing support for a **** regime and expect people to believe me. That's ridiculous.

I know that saying this will make some view me as being racist and that's fine. Think whatever you want to think about me. But, the fact is, if that was two white guys flashing some sort of "white power" symbol, it would be viewed as one of the most blatantly racist things to ever happen. But, since it was two black guys, it's "heroic" somehow? Nah...that's not how it works.

:2 cents:

In light of all the racial tension back in those times.. black americans civil rights were being ******** daily, when those athletes did what they did, they were merely making a statement and taking a stand inter-nationally being proud of the fact they were black and proud!

In that era there were allot of racial riots @ the time, I think there was a race riot here in Detroit in 1967..

Blacks identified with those two athletes representing black power in unity against oppression!! blacks were obviously not considered 1st class citizens like whites and even other immigrants were..

theres always an untold logical point of view people can't relate too or see just because of the times we live in and experience in present day america..

But in reality you KNOW racism is still an issue / problem in 2008 AMERICA against blacks and other minorities alike!! especially anybody of MIDDLE EASTERN DISCENT / ARABS right now!!

Racism was that much worse back in those days!! and no matter how much you disagree with what they did, they felt compelled and had the right to represent our country and there fellow people however they felt necessary.. :hatsoff:

 

[Dean Wormer]

Chef, while I didn't/don't like what those guys did I can't say that I blame them. Black folk have gone through (and still often are) a lot of **** back then and before. Just keep in mind that a lot of black guys who fought the ****'s and Japanese empire during WWII went back home to a life of "colored section" and other such outrages. It's perfectly understandable that Smith and Carlos were "just mad as hell and weren't going to take it anymore".

 

[ChefChiTown]

So, I was lying in bed watching Roseanne (for some reason :dunno and I kept thinking about what I said on this thread. Although I meant what I said, I honestly didn't really think about all of the underlying issues that would be brought out of it. Yes, those times were different. Yes, black people have been treated with prejudice for a long, long time (and unfortunately still today at times). Yes, these two guys were trying to make some sort of political/social point. I understand all of that, but I think I may have said what I wanted to say in an incorrect manner.

I've been thinking of a better, more "appropriate" way to say what I feel...but, unfortunately, there is no "good" way to say what I feel about it. No matter what words I use, it will just get spun around and treated as nothing more than a "racist comment by a white dude". So, I will say two things here...

1) I apologize if anyone reads what I posted and gets all riled up about it. Although starting controversy wasn't my intention by creating this thread, I am aware now that it will probably happen anyway. And, for that, I apologize.

2) As I stated before, there is no "good" way to say what I was trying to say. I am not a racist, but I realize that starting this thread does nothing but it make seem like I am. Unfortunately, some people will probably judge me now in my future posting, and that's fine. People can think whatever they want to about me, but it doesn't make it true. If I am labeled as racist for saying what I said, so be it. That is something that I will take responsibility for and I will have to deal with that on my own.

Once again, I apologize for any hard feelings, controversy or overall "RAH RAH RAH" that I may have started by creating this thread.

Goodnight.

 

[senob44]

I'm just waiting to flash my white power salute in 2068 because then whites will be a minority and it will be OK to do it then. I can't wait to see my great-grandchildren benefit from affirmative action. But I think we all know it won't go down that way. It will never be ok to be proud to be white.

 

[AnonIlluzion]

I agree with you here Senob44.

It seems as though "racial equality" is heading in the reverse direction... In my local area there was a gym opened up that was made a "Blacks only" gym. There was no talk of it. No argument.

Could you imagine if there was a "Whites Only" gym ? You would never hear the end of the Naggers QQing.

FYI people Naggers - People that annoy you.

 

[senob44]

^ Thanks. I've always thought that you can't make up for centuries of injustice by simply tipping the scales in the other direction. No race should have any rights or priveledges above that of another. True equality can only be achieved when all are treated equally. I know that many races are still discriminated against (mostly by individual racist people) in many parts of the US, but it should not be a reason to start discriminatory policies in the other direction. Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[black amal]

I'd be careful here Chef.

None of us know what it was like to be a black person living in 1960s America.

I`d have to concur. I`m black but I`m only 21. I couldnt fathom what some Black Americans went thru to help us get to were we are now. I'm not sayin your wrong CCT, thats just your opinion.

 

[max0rz]

I'm just waiting to flash my white power salute in 2068 because then whites will be a minority and it will be OK to do it then. I can't wait to see my great-grandchildren benefit from affirmative action. But I think we all know it won't go down that way. It will never be ok to be proud to be white.

well if those increased numbers mean a change in power at the top, maybe you'll have a point, I highly doubt it will though. :o

 

[Friday on my mind]

To chef I would say I would not call you racist here or any of the other threads where I think you do show lets say at least some insensistivity and probably even more importantly lack of knowing the history of race and the struggle for equality in this country.As you say this action at the 1968 olympics games is something you are just learning about.I really think if you watched something like the great PBS documentary "Eyes on the Prize" you would learn a lot about the civil rights struggle of the past and how it still relates to todays struggles and have a lot more sensitivity and appreciation of it.Another sports related person which I know you know some about being interested in sports of that era you mght want to read up on is Muhammad Ali(formerly Cassius Clay).He was one of the most hated men of the time by white america.Changed his name saying he no longer wanted the "slave name" given him by whites and then refused to be drafted and serve in vietnam saying "no vietnamease ever called me ******".Ali was lucky to have not been assasinated given the anger those decisions/statements unleashed.Eventually his stand by even most whites was seen as principled and reasonable.But at the time like the black power salute it was seen as an afront to white america.

I agree with you here Senob44.

It seems as though "racial equality" is heading in the reverse direction... In my local area there was a gym opened up that was made a "Blacks only" gym. There was no talk of it. No argument.

Could you imagine if there was a "Whites Only" gym ? You would never hear the end of the Naggers QQing.

FYI people Naggers - People that annoy you.

Do you have a link on this Gym,I find that hard to beleive? And while no you won't see a white only one hopefully in this day and age open there was time when that was almost the rule and not the exception.All over the country things like country clubs and other groups excluded all kinds of people(blacks ,jews etc) almost anyone who was a not a white christian.Tiger Woods might be able to golf at the masters but his ****** couldn't have and couldn't have even used the same water fountains or eaten at the same lunch counter or riden in the front of the bus or gone to the same school as whites in many parts of the country not that long ago.
Nobody is trying to tip the scales the other way as we still have a long way to go before things are even anywhere near equal in america.Whites may find it inconvienent to hear that there is still inequality and resent the efforts to make equality a reality but that is no reason to not keep working towards it.Some always resented it and some always will.There has been real progress since the days when parts of the US were just like aparthied South Africa with total segragation.But that situation was not that long ago and its effects are still around.Yes we have changed a lot of laws but we are still working on many of the hearts which is what it will really take for true equality to be realized.:2 cents:

 

[jumbo_jim]

I'm all for being proud of yourself and "where you come from", in respect to your heritage and ******, but...don't flaunt it. I know that a lot of people have a high amount of respect for these two guys, doing what they did, but I don't find it respectful at all.

They were at the Olympics representing the United States of America, NOT black people. They stood on the Olympic Medal podium and raised a "Black Power" fist, claiming that it stood for something other than Black Power. No, that's not how it works.

If I hung a swastika flag outside of my bedroom window, I can't claim that it stands for something else other than showing support for a **** regime and expect people to believe me. That's ridiculous.

I know that saying this will make some view me as being racist and that's fine. Think whatever you want to think about me. But, the fact is, if that was two white guys flashing some sort of "white power" symbol, it would be viewed as one of the most blatantly racist things to ever happen. But, since it was two black guys, it's "heroic" somehow? Nah...that's not how it works.

:2 cents:

Having watched a documentry about this when the olympics were going on and having heard some of the comments made by 1 of the Americans I have to agree with what you are saying. If I remeber correctly Carlos was asked by the Australian if he could be a part of the protest but the request was denied as the athlete wasn't black. It was in fact a different member of the american team who gave the Aussie the badge he wore on the podium. I thought Smith came across very well in the documentary.

I understand why they did what they did, I just feel they could have chosen a better way of doing it.
They should not have been sent home for the protest though.

 

[Galactic]

So, I was lying in bed watching Roseanne (for some reason :dunno and I kept thinking about what I said on this thread. Although I meant what I said, I honestly didn't really think about all of the underlying issues that would be brought out of it. Yes, those times were different. Yes, black people have been treated with prejudice for a long, long time (and unfortunately still today at times). Yes, these two guys were trying to make some sort of political/social point. I understand all of that, but I think I may have said what I wanted to say in an incorrect manner.

I've been thinking of a better, more "appropriate" way to say what I feel...but, unfortunately, there is no "good" way to say what I feel about it. No matter what words I use, it will just get spun around and treated as nothing more than a "racist comment by a white dude". So, I will say two things here...

1) I apologize if anyone reads what I posted and gets all riled up about it. Although starting controversy wasn't my intention by creating this thread, I am aware now that it will probably happen anyway. And, for that, I apologize.

2) As I stated before, there is no "good" way to say what I was trying to say. I am not a racist, but I realize that starting this thread does nothing but it make seem like I am. Unfortunately, some people will probably judge me now in my future posting, and that's fine. People can think whatever they want to about me, but it doesn't make it true. If I am labeled as racist for saying what I said, so be it. That is something that I will take responsibility for and I will have to deal with that on my own.

Once again, I apologize for any hard feelings, controversy or overall "RAH RAH RAH" that I may have started by creating this thread.

Goodnight.

Cheffy, I wouldn't beat yourself up here. I don't think you came across racist at all, and I really doubt anyone here will think you are. You are entitled to your opinion, and that's all you did. You expressed yourself, as is your right to do so.

Don't sweat it.

 

[Psychology]

ChefCHiTown, you're apologizing? It's the internet, it's not that serious. And I'm black!

 

[wigster]

I know this is kind of off topic, but the swastika also means life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. 1 picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[Galactic]

I know this is kind of off topic, but the swastika also means life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. 1 picture is worth 1000 words.

True, as the original pagan symbol from waaaaaayyyyyy back......the Nazis changed its meaning forever.

 

[AFA]

I agree that in extreme times, extreme measures were taken. At that time black power was an important political voice, but in more recent years with progress made, it's not nearly as important to most blacks 2008.

True, as the original pagan symbol from waaaaaayyyyyy back......the Nazis changed its meaning forever.

Yes, the traditional symbol was lost on the ****'s with a greater pubicity than the original hindu meaning.