Would you be more proud of an American athlete who came home from the Olympic games as a champion of their sport or as a champion of human rights?

Rights

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by Marcus Brooks

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Throughout our history, America celebrated her athletes as they dominated the world. The Olympics became a platform to show everyone United States' superiority. Our athletes projected an image of perfection. All the while, they lived in a society far from perfect.

From 1900 to 1970, African-American athletes held in their personal anger. They served their patriotic duty as Olympic athletes. However, they endured discrimination and second-class citizenship at home. At the 1936 Olympics, Negro runner, Jesse Owens sought to strike a blow against Adolf Hitler's white supremacist, Nazi Germany. Owens destroyed the competition in the 100 meters and 200 meter dash. In all, he won three, gold medals. He singlehandedly disspelled the Aryan myth. His victory becamme the most important statement made to the Axis Powers. Even though, White America refused to recognize it.

Over 30 years later, blacks saw very little change. For three years of "long, hot summers", African-Americans saw their neighborhoods burn with the rage from overcrowding, poverty, crime and police brutality. Newark and Detroit exploded with rioting in 1967. In April, 1968, an assassin shot down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. All across America, black youths took their anger; along with bricks, bottles, Molotov cocktails and guns into the streets. Police and National Guard brutally repressed the so-called, "Negro revolts". Over 100 died. Thousands got injured or arrested.

Black athletes traveled to Mexico City with heavy hearts. They realized a racist, federal government controlled their lives. They knew that thousands of their sons and brothers just left to do tours in Vietnam. They understood the ones at home suffered grievously from depressing conditions attributed to white racism.

America found much success in Mexico. They won multiple times in the Summer Olympics. And then, the track events began. Runners, Tommy Smith and Juan Carlos in the 200 meter dash. Once again, America used a competition to display their world dominance. The drama played before national television. Smith and Carlos ran as gazelles on the plains of Kenya (Africa). They raced past fellow athletes to an overpowering finish. America took first and second in the event. As they stood on the hallowed stand, Olympic officials placed the medals around their necks. They played the National Anthem in their honor. As the music echoed, Smith and Carlos raised their black-gloved fists. Somehow, they slipped them on without people knowing. The fist raise was a symbol for the Black Panther or Black Power; as white people interpreted it. But, the fist was a cry for freedom.

Their silent stand for human rights led to disaster. Olympic officials threatened to disqualify the U.S. National Team if Smith and Carlos continued to stay in Mexico. Both runners were sent home. Before their humiliating dismissal, they were stripped of their medals. For years after, Smith and Carlos began a life as pariahs in their community and country. Hate mail poured in with obscene, death threats to them and their families. No employers hired the pair. They were identified as traitors. They existed as fugitives.

At the ESPY Awards in 2008, Tom Cruise delivered their long-awaited accolades. Tommy Smith and Juan Carlos won award for Courage. The men had courage to speak out on the plight of African-Americans. They became heroes in a time when too many heroes died. Both men had tears when they received their plaques. After 40 years in exile, America finally awarded them a proper homecoming.

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