By: Austin Turner- Staff Writer
Many of the most memorable events in the history of sports have nothing to do with the actual sport: Jesse Owens standing up to Hitler in Berlin, Jackie Rob- inson breaking the color barrier,Muhammad Ali’s erce oppositionto the Vietnam War. Most recently, Colin Kaepernick’s national an- them protests.
Behind Tower Hall on San Jose State’s campus lies a beautiful and sobering tribute to perhaps the most iconic sports demonstration of all:
a statue of Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ human rights protest during the anthem at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico City.
For many students, the statue is simply a backdrop for their study sessions on the lawn or a seat to sit on while enjoying a book on a sun- ny day. It is the center of diversity on campus. It hosts many campus events, and the starting point for tours. It’s also been the site of sev- eral protests, including last year’s worker’s rights demonstration.
However, for some students, particularly those of color, the representation of the two pioneers serve as much more.
At SJSU, students and visitors have an opportunity to see what it feels like to be in the position of these inspiring athletes.
“I think they’re very poignant,” said communications studies senior Reggie Williams. “Just the ominous blank spot drew me to it.”
The vacant platform Williamsrefers to was lled by the silvermedalist in the event, Australian Peter Norman. He was originally going to be included in the piece, but was ultimately left out at his request so admirers could stand on the podium and feel what he felt during the anthem.
Norman was heavily criticized in Australia for his participation in the protest.
He was aware that the pro- test would be taking place before stepping on the podium, and was reportedly in full support. It was he who had the idea that Smith and Carlos share the black gloves on their wrists.
Though he quali ed for the1972 Olympics, he was not in- cluded in the games. He remained close to Smith and Carlos for the rest of his life, and they were pallbearers at his funeral after he passed from a heart attack in 2006.
This omission only adds to the statue’s effectiveness. It is among the most popular photo destina- tions on campus. Students of all ethnicities are often seen standing on the second place podium witha st raised in the air, or in somecases – kneeling.
“On the blank spot of that statue, I actually took a knee,” Williams said. “Because that’s the
new protest. Back in the 60s and70s it was about putting your stup in protest. Today, we look at people like Colin Kaepernick who has taken a knee to stand for injustice.”
For students like Williams, the statues represent a struggle that has been happening in America for the country’s entire existence. For others, like junior advertising major Ajay Sohal, the statue has apersonal signi cance.
“There’s a lot of injustice that happened to me personally because of my race,” Sohal said. “For me it’s not even just about sports, it’s more personal. So I feel like for me it’s important to not only (stand on the blank spot) but to represent my community
as well.”
For some, the statue is a reminder of what injustices and challenges that were faced at the time, and it’s also a reminder of what is happening in today’s society, illustrating how little has changed since 1968.
“I stood up there because the stat- ue is important to have, because at that time the injustice going on in the world,” said sophomore advertising major Parker D’Encarnacao. “And today there’s still injustices that are going on in this world, so it’s important to have this symbol for people today to keep standing.”
With protests in sports comes controversy. Protests like that of Smith and Carlos and most recently Kaepernick, have been met with massive amounts of backlash, and in Kaepernick’s case, even from the president of the United States.
That leads some to ask: is our speech really free?
“When I found out about Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and how things haven’t really changed since then, it surprised me,” said junior journalism major Zoe Alvarez. “Why is freedomof speech not free? Why can’t you raise your st for your beliefswhen you have freedom of speech?”
The protests made by Smith and Carlos were met with heavy opposition and severe consequence.
In Mexico City, they were heckled with racial slurs and boos. They were suspended from the Olympic team and kicked out of the Olympic Village.
Even after returning home, the two were still treated with resentment from the public and the media. They received death threats and Time Magazine said that the Olympic motto should be changed from “Higher, Faster, Stronger” to “Angrier, nastier, and uglier.”
The two men were ostracized by the country they represented for simply attempting to make it better.
For Alvarez and countless others, standing on that spot is more than a photo op. It’s an expression and a statement against oppression and injustice.
It’s cathartic. For each person who stands on that podium, there is a story, experience or memory of injustice. It’s an ac- knowledgment and understanding of the adversities faced by many in this country, and how after 242 years, there is still room to grow.
Whether people are standing with their sts in the air or theirhands over their hearts, it’s important to realize the freedom to do so is something that many take for granted.
However, when these freedoms are used for protest like thoseby Smith, Carlos and Kaepernick, they are often met with erceopposition and accusations of being “un-American” and threats of violence.
For a nation that takes pride in its diversity, perhaps its citi- zens should focus more on making progress than debating those who try to break the mold.
The brilliance of sports is that while it is in essence just
a “game,” it gives those who play a massive platform, one in which they can do what the results of the games cannot – change the world.
Follow Austin on Twitter: @austinturnt