By Hugo Vera – Staff Writer
October 16, 1968 will forever be remembered as one of the most pivotal and divisive demonstrations not only in sports history, but world history.
When San Jose State track and field athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during the playing of the National Anthem at the Olympics in Mexico City, the two athletes cemented their legacy as one of their generation’s most controversial, yet celebrated figures.
These two track stars of color decided to use the platform they stood on to protest social injustices in the United States.
One cannot deny that American society has made progress in voicing the issues of people of color. However, nothing has really changed in terms of non-violent political demonstrations in and out of American sports.
Following their demonstrations in Mexico, Smith and Carlos received a shameful homecoming. The two were booted from the Olympic Village and met with hundreds of death threats.
Despite the backlash, other American Olympians followed in Smith and Carlos’ footprints in using the games as a stage for protests.
During the 1972 Munich games, fellow African American athletes Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett refused to face the American flag while the anthem played during their medal ceremonies for sprinting.
The trend of athletes taking political stances continued following the 2014 police killing of Eric Garner, who was choked to death when accused of selling individual cigarettes.
NBA stars such as LeBron James and James Harden sported warmup shirts reading “I can’t breathe” — Garner’s disturbing last words.
Critics of the demonstration boycotted NBA games altogether, but commissioner David Silver made it clear that James and Harden had not violated pregame dress code and therefore the protest was not fineable.
“I think it’s important for all people, not just athletes such as LeBron James, to use their platform to voice their grievances against a system that doesn’t represent their best interests,” said Ray Buyco, an SJSU history professor.
Buyco has taught courses on “Rock and Roll History” and his classes examine the intertwining influences and effects that politicians, athletes and musicians have on the general public.
“Kneeling is a reflection into one’s environment,” Buyco said. “It’s the primary source into the story of a community. African Americans and other minorities have long been denied equal rights and they want a system that governs for the whole and not just a few.”
Indeed, a lot of athletes have used their platforms to protest the Trump Administration. Since taking office, championship teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Seattle Storm and the Philadelphia Eagles have all rejected invitations to Trump’s White House.
Smith and Carlos’ actions created tension reminiscent of former San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s kneel in protest and Nike’s recent advertising campaign.
Kaepernick, who is currently suing the NFL for collusion, revealed last month that he was still being paid by Nike despite being unsigned.
While the now free agent Kaepernick is no longer subject to NFL penalties, many consumers boycotted Nike and posted footage of themselves destroying apparel on social media. Past generations have produced politically-outspoken athletes such as Smith and Carlos.
This generation has seen contemporaries such as James and Kaepernick. The next generation will be no different.
Follow Hugo on Twitter @HugoV_II
