On the morning of October 16, 1968, U.S. athlete Tommie 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 20.07 seconds, and U.S. 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 U.S. athletes received their medals shoeless, but wearing black socks, to represent black poverty.
Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent black pride.
Carlos had his tracksuit top unzipped to show solidarity with all blue collar workers in the U.S. and wore a necklace of beads which he described "were for those individuals that were lynched, or killed and 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.
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 were inspired by Edwards' arguments.
Both U.S. athletes 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.
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.
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."
Smith and Carlos were largely ostracized by the U.S. sporting establishment in the following years, in addition were subject to criticism of their actions. Time magazine showed the five-ring Olympic logo with the words, "Angrier, Nastier, Uglier", instead of "Faster, Higher, Stronger". Back home they were subject to abuse, and they and their families received death threats.
Four years later John Carlos' wife committed suicide becuase she could no longer tolerate the hatred her family was shown because of her husband's historical protest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
What I do NOT want for this contest is a History Lesson.
I watched this event on television at the advice of my dad who was a runner in WWII. When these men raised their fists, my dad’s response was..."Oh Hell! What did they just go and do?"
I would like your submission to regard in writing;
THE TIME YOU TOOK A STAND and knew the consequences would be overwhelming, and public response would be in the form of negativaity, outrage, hatred...
It is not necessary to write of this event unless you are old enough to know a bit about it, to have read it or know because you witnessed it. Try at best to write about something you believe in, something that would disturb the masses and possibly cause you to be challenged because of its controversial trimmings.
If there are questions, please feel free to IM me.
RULES:
1. No ChAT WriTinG
2. Use good grammar and spell checker
3. If using profanity, make it an intelligent choice, and label appropriately.
4. No line or word limit but I am a fan of well-used brevity.
5. DO NOT write about this 1968 Olympic Event but use it as inspiration to write about your own personal protest.
6. Solid colored backgrounds. No White font on Black backgrounds please.
7. Be creative, use all poetic devices that will make for great poetry.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on March 1
- Rewards: Gold: 1968, Silver: 400, Bronze: 200
- Final notes: The RAISED FISTS in the contest are still raised in my heart and mind. EVERY poet took their stand to the hilt. I am so esteemed to have had so many wonderful voices speaking out on these pages.
The top three choices for the trophies were the ones I mulled over for two days. Each poet truly gave of themselves and in no way were any poems lacking in their stance for justice, lawfulness, righteousness and the like.
I am so proud of everyone who submitted a work to this contest. You have made me proud to be on this site with such genius.
God Bless You ALL!
Renee ♥
Contest Winners
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 5064303, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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In the midst of disgusting social injustice, in a neighboring
town, the police are arrested for drug-dealingby Backporchphilosopher 34 lines, 3 comments, on Feb 15 9:28 PM. In Dark, Society, Abuse, Death, My life, Message, Hate, Personal., Humanity, Contest
Silver trophy winner
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There's nothing any of us can do
About what wasby Mark Rickerby 144 lines, 24 comments, on Feb 15 1:49 PM
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You are a doll.
Your mother is made of plastic---by OhNoChastity 37 lines, 1 comment, on Feb 15 3:33 PM• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
When there's time for only new stadiums but
not a place for the children to play?• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
On my good days
I get down on me kneesby patrick20traveler 46 lines, 6 comments, on Feb 16 3:45 AM• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
I’ve been thinking ancient thoughts tonight.
The hours, swindled from the moon-host’s brim• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 5058047, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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Taking a stand, you've got to have courage
A lot of public opinion will be unkind• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [14]
Add a comment
Comments
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Wow, how incredibly inspiring....almost speechless....yet so very proud of these men......great contest,
...God bless you Sis,
Bear - -
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I think we All have had at least one event such as this in our lives. I hope you write about yours. It often helps to get these issues out of our systems.
Have a blessed day dear brother.
All My LOVE ♥
Renee
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an interesting contest you have going here... I found your words interesting though I am not old enough to remember this.. I would have been like 2 or 3 years old then and I don't remember much way back then. However, it was interesting to read about it.
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Even in your youth, I am sure you have taken a stand. Even more so, knowing that stance would meet with opposition. Age has no real bearing here. I used this event to spark the muse and urge you to spin into words your Protest! I hope to see an entry from you. Although the contest in anonymous, you have a pen that is noticeable, and most rewarding to read. Please enter if you have the time.
Much Love ♥
Renee
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thanks... I'll have to think about this one... right away I can't really think to tired.... time for bed. But I'll think about it.
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A Protest
hmmm there's so many hurdles that I could write about but to concentrate on one is hard for me to do at this time . Good Luck with the contest. -
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I am so sure, me as well. Write it!
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I don't remember much about the sixties but I do remember the 70's and even today. So My friend will that do? Because I still have alot of anger inside of me from those times.
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Vent that anger poetically. I promse it will help.
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Hmmm.... Weren't they awarded something from Sports Illustrated last year? 40 years later...? In this day and age, they're respected. It's funny how kids today would say "I would have done this" or "I would have done that" but they don't know what it was like. This same generation knocks MC Hammer as a sell out, but were singing his songs when he was out. And without him (the first successful 'crossover' rapper), idiots like Jay-Z or Sean 'Puff Daddy' 'P-Diddy' 'go take a dump 'cause he's real sh*tty' wouldn't have the money they have that 'crossover' success. Anyway... I'm just waiting to see what Barack does next. Maybe he'll be cannonized in a hundred years.
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Wonderful contest!
This is so cool, to learn the details behind that famous moment. I wish I had something worthy for this. Should be some great entries! -
A great photo! I remember the moment, too!
"We are black and we are proud of being black."
A great choice as an example of protest! -
Sometimes we have to do what we think best like these athletes did. I remember the event, I was 16 at the time and also remember the criticism the atheletes underwent at the hands of my local press and TV reporters.
I was once offered a TV for £10 by a fellow officer [RAF]. The price and circumstances made me sure it was stolen and I told him what I thought and that I had to report it. I expected to be ostracised when I did report it a day later but didn't recieve disaprobation since it turned out to have been a test!
Not quite in the same league but it caused me some soul searching at the time.
Jim -
I have this bookmarked. I'll try to summon the guts to write, publicly, {for the first time} about the arrest.
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hmmmm A contest that actually stands for something...Beautiful.
I haven't been inspired in a long time, this is actually what I needed. I have never heard of this story, (which is not surprising because the way the school system is set up, we aren't taught about certain things). So thanks for educating me, I will defintely be researching more info on this topic.
I will defintely be bookmarking this contest. -
Thank you,
for the award, yes, but more for the inspiration to once again, write poetry that matters in an age when the stuff that is being published consists of bad prose about nothing much with odd line breaks.
We need to re-awaken the spirit of these men, to HOWL our unvarnished truth into the airwaves and awaken the sheep to bleat at the wolves before it's just too damn late!
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