The s began in the United States with racial segregation in schools then separate bathrooms and toilets were allocated for whites and blacks and separate water fountains for each race. This unfortunately occurred and was strictly enforced in the very conservative southern states while in the rest of the country they fought to end discrimination.
White Ladies Only Public Toilet in Durham North Carolina
Water fountains for whites and blacks
Coca-Cola vending machine for white customers only
This entire process was very eventful and painful and while Martin Luther King called and invoked the peaceful resistance of African-American citizens the black leader Malcolm X exhorted to “kill all white demons.” Fortunately Luther King's speech was the most listened to and effective.
By things had improved somewhat. School segregation was CXB Directory already rare but the issue of school transportation still had to be resolved since by not being able to use the buses African-American students were condemned to make long walks to and from their homes and it was something that again was beginning to create outrage and riots.
In October of that same year the Olympic Games were held in Mexico City and society in general hoped that this would serve as a catalyst and to iron out racial acrimony but a rumor began to spread that it was very possible that the African American athletes made a public statement about the segregation that existed in the United States although of course it would only be a formality because everyone was aware.
Things were going to get worse because there was talk of a boycott of all participating black athletes from all countries in support of their brothers from the United States. The boycott fortunately did not prosper because we all know that it has never been a good idea to mix sports with politics. Every time this has happened the only one affected has been entertainment and sports.
In this spirit the Olympics began and African-American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos won gold and bronze in the m dash respectively.
When they got on the podium they went to look for more than medals they went to look for their racial vindication. They went up to the podium barefoot as if to illustrate the poverty and conditions in which African Americans lived in their country. Then they raised their black-gloved fist and bowed their heads as the notes of the United States anthem played. With this gesture they made their protest evident due to the racial tension that was experienced in their country.
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