Do you think that carlos and smith should have raised an internal matter of american society in an international forum? why or why not ------------------------( 3 Marks )
In the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, two African American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, raised the Black Power salute during their medal presentation ceremony. The salute was meant as a protest against the discrimination faced by African Americans in USA and their lack of civil rights. It is true that at that time, the two athletes were criticized by the International Olympic Committee as well as many Americans for highlighting a domestic political issue in an international apolitical sporting event.
However, since then, there has been a reassessment of their actions and almost all opinion about the salute is now favourable. It is now recognised that the discrimination faced by African Americans in USA was a stigma on American life as well as on humanity. It was impossible for so prominent an event like the Olympics to remain immune when athletes participating in the event were facing injustice in their national lives. Moreover, the discriminatory policies of the US against African Americans was blatantly against the ideals and objectives of the Olympic movement which was meant to celebrate the human spirit without any discrimination. Hence, the two athletes were fully justified in raising the issue of discrimination faced by African Americans through their Black Power Salute.
However, since then, there has been a reassessment of their actions and almost all opinion about the salute is now favourable. It is now recognised that the discrimination faced by African Americans in USA was a stigma on American life as well as on humanity. It was impossible for so prominent an event like the Olympics to remain immune when athletes participating in the event were facing injustice in their national lives. Moreover, the discriminatory policies of the US against African Americans was blatantly against the ideals and objectives of the Olympic movement which was meant to celebrate the human spirit without any discrimination. Hence, the two athletes were fully justified in raising the issue of discrimination faced by African Americans through their Black Power Salute.