Thanks to Marist Track Alum Peter VanAken for passing along the information on a fantastic speech coming to Vassar College on Monday, April 23. Those interested in track history should make their way to Vassar to see John Carlos speak.
Carlos became famous when, on the medal stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, he raised a gloved fist in silent protest as part of the “Black Power” salute and movement. Understand that I was 4 years old at the time, so I clearly do not remember this. But the late 1960s/early 1970s was a powder keg of racial tension in this country, and Carlos’ silent protest has gone down in the lore of our sport.
Check this link for more information. Sprinters, and others on our team, would do well to attend this talk.
Off to California for the Mt. SAC Relays. Will be posting from there …
Dammit. I did a freaking 10 page research paper on that event. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteI get to pick him up from the Airport!
ReplyDelete