As an African American, I learned from an early age that the clenched fist in the air paired with a giant afro represents our Black Power. While most of us are unaware of the movement’s beginning, many of us are very familiar with the movement itself. It appears frequently on things such as posters, afro-pick handles, and was widely used by groups like the Black Panthers. Historically, this simple gesture that carried African Americans through the Civil Rights movement originated from one man.
According to an article written this month by Reuters.com, this man was Tommie Smith. Tommie Smith came from humble beginnings. He was the seventh of twelve children from a sharecropping family in Texas. Smith always showed promise in athletics as he participated in basketball, football and track and field, setting numerous records that still stand today. Smith went on to compete in the Olympics, and it was there where he truly made his mark.
After receiving the gold medal for the 200 meter sprint in Mexico City, Tommie and his fellow runner John Carlos silently raised their gloved clenched fists in the air during the National Anthem. It was then that the “Black Power” symbol was born.
Unfortunately for Smith, this silent protest was deemed unacceptable at the time. According to the Washington Post, the crowd began to boo, calling them anti-Americans. Because of their defiance, which broke the Olympics’ rules, both medalists were swiftly removed from the stadium. Smith and Carlos were banned from ever competing in the Olympics and were sent home only to be welcomed by death threats and hate mail.
Carlos told the Guardian newspaper, “I had a moral obligation to step up. Morality was a far greater force than the rules and regulations they had.”
Despite the bravery they demonstrated, their sacrifice isn’t widely known or appreciated. Smith spoke later in an HBO documentary affirming that they were just trying to bring the injustice in America to light.
One could ask if it was even worth it; however, Smith stands firm in his decision.
“Without sacrifice, there can be no forward movement. You have to give up something before you can receive something and usually that something is much better,” he said.
To this day, movements such as BlackLivesMatter and #TakeTheKnee were inspired by Smith and Carlos’ salute to Black Power.
“I don’t like the idea of people looking at it as negative,” Smith said. “There was nothing but a raised fist in the air and a bowed head, acknowledging the American flag — not symbolizing a hatred for it.”
This is the same mentality of the taking the knee movement which was started by Colin Kaepernick in an effort to bring police brutality to light. These movements didn’t begin in an effort to look down on or put America in a bad light. They weren’t “anti-American.” They were pro-equality, which is what America stands for. As citizens of our country, who else can correct our nation than the people who live here?
