Remembering Tommie Smith and John Carlos: Symbol of Power

A vague symbol has many meanings depending on who you ask. The raised fist has been used time and time again in political resistance movements. In the context of Black history, it stands as a representation of resistance, solidarity, and power against oppression. As prevalent as the symbol is, it has also become a larger presence within the African-American community and many Black power movements.

Many people trace it back to 1968, crediting the sign to two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. At the Olympics Stadium, Mexico City, Smith had just won first place in the Olympics with a time of 19.83 seconds, a world record; Peter Norman, an Australian athlete, was in second at 20.06 seconds, and Carlos finished third at 20.10 seconds. Though an amazing feat in and of itself, the records were not what made the Mexico City Olympics so memorable. 

As the United States’ national anthem played, Smith and Carlos did the Black Power salute during their medal ceremony. Their heads were lowered and black gloved fists were raised under “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a poetic and artful demonstration.

Historically, it belongs to many people and has no exact origin. It surged in popularity within the early 20th century, first rising in the international labor movement and continued to be held high by future liberation movements. For Americans, the symbol became relevant in the 1960s and quickly spread like wildfire for ongoing civil rights movements, including Women’s Liberation and Gay Liberation.

Symbolically, this gesture at the Olympics was deliberate and potent. Aside from being a protest against discrimination, the. Two African-American men, each wearing a singular black glove and black socks with no shoes “to symbolize the poverty in Black America” (Arthur Ashe Legacy). Beads and a scarf were worn to protest lynchings, and their heads were lowered in an outright defiance.

It was loud, controversial, and powerful. For once, the movement was being brought to the mainstream. Nobody could ignore it anymore, and it helped spread awareness. It could not be censored or downplayed by anybody; it was there. Anyone who turned a blind eye at that point had no excuse. However, the media quickly turned on Smith and Carlos, and the American sporting establishment shunned both of them.

Aside from activism, Smith has continued making his own impact in the sports world, setting 13 world records and holding 11 throughout his illustrious career. Carlos has gone on to be a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, an active civil rights group for Black people all over the world. In the face of adversity, they have continued to protest. For the sake of Black history, remember their names.

Image Courtesy of Flickr