John Carlos and Tommie Smith: Underrated and Unwritten Heroes of Black History « The Land of the Free and Home of the brave,” the infamous phrase from the American national anthem, Star-Spangled Banner, but how true did it ring true for African Americans during the civil rights era? On October 16, 1968, gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos challenged "the false view of what it meant to be black in America." (P. 108, Story of John Carlos) Although John Carlos and Tommie Smith were ridiculed and ostracized due to their act of defiance, which was respectfully recognized as an iconic and powerful image referred to as a "black power salute" during of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. . Carlos and Smith used the Olympic medal ceremony to challenge and recognize racism in sports and in the United States, in a silent gesture. This important moment in their act of bravery, courage and willingness to sacrifice their athletic careers and lives to bring attention to segregation, racism and white supremacy at home for those who did not have a platform. “Smith and Carlos have opened a unique symbolic space for dialogue and debate on these issues.” (P. 26, Douglas Hartmann) Without saying a single word, they captured the attention of the nation. Just a year apart, Tommie Smith and John Carlos grew up living two separate lives. Everyone experienced some form of racism growing up. Their upbringing and experiences played a huge role in their ideas and principles that took shape on October 16. Leading up to the most iconic sporting moment in history, their education and experiences were stepping stones to something bigger than themselves. Tommie Smith was born on June 6, 1944 in Clarksville, Texas, to Richard and... middle of paper... so far away that people don't realize what you do until years later. (page 46, Carlos) Now, 45 years later, have people finally realized what John Carlos and Tommie Smith were doing on October 16? Neither Carlos nor Smith regret their decision to this day. Despite the challenges and obstacles they faced, Carlos believed that what they were doing was far more important than their lives and that he could live with the story he had created. Unlike their iconic peers, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X to name a few, Carlos and Smith stood in unison in their protest. The meaning of the raised fist is a sign of strength that everyone can carry with them into a given situation. The whole world broadcast his rebellious image and interpreted its own meaning of the most historic moment in sport and the wider community..