Tommy Smith Essay

Tommy Smith, fell short of the stereotypical "violence is key," category when he used his podium to raise attention to the hard times black people endured with simply one small gesture. On June 6, 1944, and Clarksville Texas, to the parents Richard and Dora Smith, Thomas C. "Tommie" Smith was born. Being one of 12 children, Tommy survived about times as a young boy but ameliorated to become a phenomenal athlete. In the mix, his family moved to California where Smith was voted MVP (most valuable player) of his basketball, football, and track team at Lemoore high school. Condescending into his early years, Smith's and rolled at the San José State University in 1963. Where he played basketball for a short semester and ran track for his remaining years. Smith did not just
take part of the San José university's track team, but also branched off into his coaches "Speed City team." Where he met his future Olympic team a John Carlos. Shortly after joining the speedy team, Smith became involved in the civil rights movement, establishing the Olympic Project for Human Rights with John Carlos and one of his professors Henry Edwards. Smith's decisions in his early years alone she's great leadership skills. Smith took on more than what he needed to. From experience, being a full-time College student-athlete is fairly difficult. Emily Smith had a passion for what he believed in when he took on the very hard process of developing an organization for human rights. Especially, during the hard times for black people that he and many others lived through. Leading an organization was not the only movement Smith led. Smith then led his teammate as well as himself in the "fist in the air" act on the winners podium at the 1968 Olympic Games. Competing in the 200 m final, Tommy Smith and John Carlos placed first and third receiving the chance to be up on the podium to then use their victories as a way to raise attention to the hard times live by many African-Americans back home along with Smith and Carlos. I chose Smith over so many other leaders because I can relate on and off the track. I have lived through those hard times in everyday life and shockingly on the truck as I compete. Initially, my first instinct is to retaliate but after seeing how Smith and Carlos non-violently retaliated has influenced me to explore other options that will satisfy, "retaliation." Tommy Smith and John Carlos protested by wearing gloves on their fist, that they saluted in the air to show solidarity for human rights, Barefeet to protest poverty, beads to protest lynching and buttons that say OPHR, (Olympic project for human rights) as the Star-Spangled Banner played. In doing so, Tommy Smith and John Carlos or boot off of the winners podium.
The two were also forced out of the games by the president of the international Olympic Committee. The acts of these two men arguably became one of the most iconic moments of the 20th century. Smith and Carlos' fist in the air at is still used in current events today in my era. Therefore, Smith has become an important role model for me. He left a big impact on the track with time and stance. Ultimately, Smith's non-violent fist in the air act has placed him above the "all black activists are violent," stereotype. Smith's action has influenced me to become a great leader, as well as develop better leadership skills than I have now on and off the track. Choosing smooth over the many other leaders sufficed. Mainly because he took on the challenge of challenge that was a bit harder for blacks and still had the time to run and even more so excel in track and field. Smith set records that took 44 years to break. One record that cannot be broken, sit by Smith but yeah revise, is the role model position he has in my life. He has influenced me to take on challenges as well as overcome the worst despite the hardships I may go
through.