(#1) Smith And Carlos Became Simultaneously Lauded And Hated For Their Bravery That Day
The year was 1968, and the fight for civil rights in the United States was as heated as ever. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated earlier in the year. One place where African Americans could usually feel welcome was in the sporting world, and Tommie Smith and John Carlos were two excellent examples of that as they competed in the Olympics, which were held in Mexico City that year.
However, Smith and Carlos were both deeply affected by the issues back home, and they wanted to use their time in the Olympic spotlight to send a message. Smith finished the 200 meter run in first place, setting a world record, while Carlos finished in third.
At the podium, the two wore carefully coordinated outfits, with black socks and no shoes representing Black poverty, a black scarf for Black pride, an unzipped top for the working class, and black gloves thrust high into the air in the universal symbol for Black power. They raised their salutes with their heads bowed as the Star-Spangled Banner played, eliciting a shocked reaction from the crowd and a firestorm of controversy back in the United States.
Once the heat died down, both Smith and Carlos were hailed as heroes and civil rights icons.
(#2) Norman Was A Human Rights Advocate Who Supported His Fellow Champions
Peter Norman is often portrayed as the “other guy” in the famous photo because he is white and just sort of standing there, raising no salute of his own. However, Norman was in on it from the beginning, and he actually played an integral role in planning it.
Norman was considered a long shot to sprint in the Olympics, but he put in the performance of his life, finishing second to Smith. Afterwards, Norman became aware of Smith and Carlos’s planned demonstration, and he wanted to be a part of it. Back home, Norman was already a staunch anti-racism advocate, and human rights were an important issue to him. He was excited at the opportunity to make a stand alongside his fellow sprinters.
(#3) Norman's Suggestions Made A Huge Visual Difference
On the day of the ceremony, when it was discovered that Carlos had left his black gloves back at the Olympic village, it was Norman who suggested they wear one glove each on opposite hands. Wanting to make a visual demonstration as well, Norman asked an American rower to borrow his badge, which read “Olympic Project for Human Rights.” Properly adorned, Norman took the podium with his fellow winners, bowed his head respectfully, and waited for history to happen.
The deafening silence told him that the Americans had gone through with it before he even raised his head to see.
(#4) Norman's Stand Made Him A Pariah In His Home Country Of Australia
The consequences for Tommie Smith and John Carlos were swift, as they were kicked out of the Olympics – banned for life – and sent home to face death threats and controversy. Eventually, however, the two were hailed as civil rights heroes. Peter Norman would not be quite so lucky. Upon returning to Australia, Norman found himself a pariah for what some of his countrymen viewed as an attack upon white people.
Norman obviously assented to the act, even if his fellow Australians had no idea just how complicit he actually was.
(#5) Norman Was Barred From The Olympics
Despite the tide of hate that came his way, Norman continued to train for the next Olympics, held in Munich, but he found himself mysteriously cut from the team despite being a legitimate gold medal contender. Norman was never picked to represent Australia in the Olympics again, having earned the scorn of the powers that be in Australian athletics for his bold stance on human rights.
This was not a grudge that disappeared quickly, either. The 2000 Sydney Olympics, which set out to honor Australia’s past Olympic greats, failed to mention Norman a single time.
(#6) Norman Had No Regrets – And Smith And Carlos Were Pallbearers At His Funeral
The Australian government formally apologized to Peter Norman in 2012, but, unfortunately, it was too late for him to hear it. Norman died in 2006, and Tommie Smith and John Carlos were pallbearers at his funeral. Norman’s story became more widely known after his nephew, Matthew, directed a documentary titled Salute!, which made waves in Australia. Matthew wanted it made clear that Norman wasn't just “helping out” Smith and Carlos; he was making a stand of his own about something he believed in just as much as they did.
Despite passing away before this vindication, Peter Norman did not go to his grave a regretful man. According to him, "It has been said that sharing my silver medal with that incident on the victory dais detracted from my performance. On the contrary. I have to confess, I was rather proud to be part of it."
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The Black Power salute was a political demonstration by African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics award ceremony. After winning the gold and bronze medals, they raised their fists wearing black gloves on the podium until the end of the national anthem. At the same time, but Australian silver medalist Peter Norman did not raise his hand, which made him have to face criticism from the world.
But this photo released by the media is deceptive. Peter Norman is very willing to participate in this human rights protest. The fact is that he also wore a jacket with a human rights badge on the podium. Welcome to check the generator to find more details about the Black Power.
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