Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
2. They were shoeless as a comment on black poverty
Tue Jul 12, 2016, 09:22 PM
Jul 2016

John Carlos had additional symbolism in his attire:

he wore his tracksuit unzipped as a gesture of solidarity with working-class people, and wore beads as a tribute to those who died on slave ships.

In addition, Tommie Smith, John Carlos AND Peter Norman(the Australian athlete on the podium as silver medialist, who supported Mr. Carlos and Mr. Smith in their actions), all wore badges in support of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.

IOC president Avery Brundage, a one-time Nazi sympathizer who had refused to condemn Nazi salutes at the Berlin Olympics in 1936, condemned the athletes for their principled stand and tried to get Mr. Smith and Mr. Carlos banned from the U.S. team(USOC officials refused to go along with the demand), and Peter Norman was ostracized from the Australian Olympic movement for the rest of his life for refusing to condemn Mr. Smith and Mr. Carlos.

BTW, which image do you disagree with in my graphics? It's not obvious to me which one it would be.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Does anyone know where yo...»Reply #2