10 Silent Protests That Made Major Noise
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Tommie Smith and John Carlos
During the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, American track and field stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos mounted the podium to receive their medals. As the Star-Spangled Banner began to play, Smith and Carlos bowed their heads and raised their fists as a nod to the Black Power Movement. Smith explained that, “If I win, I am American, not a Black American. But if I did something bad, then they would say I am a Negro. We are Black and we are proud of being Black. Black America will understand what we did tonight.” While the pair suffered much criticism upon their return to the states, their actions would later be applauded and honored.
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