Tribute to Black Power in 1968

The tribute to the black power in the 1968 Olympic Games was a political demonstration by
the African American athletes Tommy Smith and John Carlos at the award ceremony of the
1968 Summer Olympics held at the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City. After Smith and Carlos
won the gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter track and field, respectively, they lowered
their heads without facing their national flag. When they heard the American National
Anthem, the two athletes raised their fists in black gloves until the National Anthem ended.
The incident is considered to be one of the most public political statements in the history of
modern Olympics.

Smith, a student of San Jose State University, has already won a number of sprinting
championships. He won a gold medal of 200 meters with a score of 19 seconds and 83 and
set a new world record, but the impression everyone remembers most was his performance
at the award ceremony. After the game, Smith and bronze-winner teammate John Carlos
raised their fists in black gloves on the podium, wearing various symbols representing
African Americans for equality. Holding a fist high with black gloves on represents the rights
of black people, wearing a black scarf around the neck symbolizes black pride, and holding a
box with olive saplings in the left hand means peace. Smith stated in his autobiography,
‘Silent Gesture’ that this gesture is not a tribute to "black power" but "a tribute to human
rights." Smith only wore a pair of black socks on his feet, telling people that the African-
Americans are still living in poverty, and he and Carlos' actions have received strong
support.

This powerful gesture of protest against racial discrimination in the United States shocked
the entire stadium. Many people neglected the white youth who was in the runner-up
position, Australia's Norman (Peter Norman), he was expressionless and motionless at the
time, just stared straight ahead with his eyes, sporting on his chest a commemorative badge
to protect human rights. This commemorative badge resembles five rings, with the words
"Olympic Code is to protect human rights". Norman supported the justice struggle of the
two athlete partners in his own way.

However, this action soon had a negative impact on Smith's sports career. The US team
imposed a penalty on him and banned him from the Olympic Village. The International
Olympic Committee claimed that Smith's actions violated the most basic of the Olympic
principles - using the award ceremony to express political views. However, another
prominent figure who participated in the fight for rights, tennis star Arthur Ashe, said the
protest was "encouragement for this generation."