During the 1968 Olympics ceremony in Mexico City, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two African-American athletes, both raised a black-gloved fist when the US national anthem was playing. The raised fist represents unity/solidarity with oppressed peoples.
After the protest, both athletes were greatly ostracized by the US sports industry. Both Smith and Carlos received threats that included comments about their families.
Sociologist Harry Edwards urged black athletes to boycott their games. Similar protests were Jackie Robinson not standing and singing the anthem, and Colin Kaepernick protesting police brutality and racism in modern-day America.
Personally, I respect the stand that these athletes took because I recognize that they put their entire careers and future on the line to advocate for important issues that affect their communities. I feel as if more athletes have followed their example such as women athletes standing up for better pay.
I feel as, even though their actions were very controversial at that time, they have been finally given some of the respect that they deserve today. The public, especially white people, did not see them as heroes, only as people just getting in the way. Nowadays, this racism still exists, as seen with the kneeling of football players, and the response by some media. But it is more generally accepted than it once was. Also in San Jose state, they have made a statue of this salute, showing how they are more generally considered heroes.
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