TASK 1Using the link directly below, read up on the history of Donald Sterling and the hateful acts that he reportedly engaged in. After reading the articles, write a half page response to be turned in on Friday, May 2nd in which you define what Sterling's biggest mistakes were and whether or not you believe he should be BANNED from the NBA for LIFE and fined 2.5 MILLION dollars.
STERLING LINK: http://readlists.com/da80d7df/
TASK 2In response to the documentary Salute and what you know about the Civil Rights movement throughout American, construct a response to this post where you address what impact you believe Tommie Smith and John Carlos had on the integration of sports throughout America's major sports leagues (this may require you look up a bit more information). Also, bring in other examples of Civil Rights actions or sport integration in your response. This is due Monday, May 5th.
I think that Smith and Carlos impacted integration of sports profoundly. Just the fact that they were able to show the whole world that other races could be just as good or even better. Most people back in those days were very pessimistic and opinionated on racism. These two black men started so many opportunities for other people. They did so well in the olympics, therefor they were able to proove a lot of racist people wrong. for that moment most people were probably cheering for them in amercia, because they were representing our country. The fact that they got banned from the olympics just made people even more aware in the later years of how bad it actually was. So if we did not have that to remind us, who knows how things could havecontinued bad or gotton even worse.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Tommie Smith's and John Carlos' actions had a pretty big impact on the integration of sports. What they did was a very bold act and it showed that African Americans were not afraid to stand up for themselves. It definitely inspired many other black athelets as well as showing the whites that they won't back down. This act may not be as impactful as Jackie Robinson or MLK Jr, but it had a big impact in the integration of sports.
ReplyDeleteTommy Smith and John Carlos made a huge impact in the integration of sports. The legendary picture of the two holding up their fists with the black gloves on is still remembered to this day. That alone has created a lot impact on the perception of black athletes competing in the olympics and other major league sports. For their actions Tommie Smith and John Carlos were banned from competing in the olympics. It is mind boggling that a simple hand gesture could get you kicked off the olympic team. But that's how it was back then and those were the times they were in. Their actions had a major impact for other african american athletes and it showed that you should never back down from adversity.
ReplyDeleteI think that Smith and Carlos had a huge impact on not only the integration of American leagues, but sports leagues around the world. Their efforts inspired people in other countries like Australia's Peter Norman to speak out against it. This is much like the integration of baseball, where most objected at first but saw what a difference it made in the end. The fact that most of those men were widely criticized in their home countries after the Olympics shows how committed these men were to their cause because they continued to speak out about it. If it weren't for men like them, our sports might not be the same as they are today.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the impact of John Carlos and Tommie Smith on the integration of sports was pretty big. They made a statement on that podium that said they were not going to take this injustice that they were feeling back home. Even though they had been threatened by the Olympic committee they still stood up and made a statement that would go down in history as one of the most important civil rights movements in sports. This statement was so crucial because it didn’t die in Mexico, and it came back to the United States where everyone had a reaction to it whether it be good or bad. By them stirring the pot in this way they may have been the first domino that fell that led to other barriers falling. I also believe that Norman played a large role in this demonstration because he stood up on the podium with his pin on, and stood proudly. He showed that not all white people were against the civil rights movement even if it hurt his chance of winning. This was very similar to the Jackie Robinson situation where the fans started to accept him more after white players would show public support for him. This just like Norman helped show the world that not all white people were against him, and that he would be supported and given a chance to succeed.
ReplyDeleteTommie Smith and John Carlos had a huge impact on the integration of sports in America. Their perseverence on the track was not nearly as influential as what they did on the award stand. By wearing the black glove and raising their fists in the air, they made a huge statement to the world of sports. These actions impacted sports sports in America greatly, but I think Norman was just as important in the story of the 68' olympics. By a white person accepting the blacks in major sports, Norman opened the door for many others to follow in the direction of fully accepting blacks into America's major sports. Another athlete that impacted the integration of sports was Jackie Robinson. He excelled in the MLB despite being heckled and threatened day after day. This was a huge step towards not only integration in the MLB but in all of sports.
ReplyDeleteTommie Smith and John Carlos have impacted the integration of sports by virtually breaking the color barrier in the olympics like Jackie Robinson did in baseball. They stuck together when everyone went against them and were very successful in the olympics. It showed everyone that color didn't matter. They were able to represent the USA and they did so with class. MLK Jr. broke the color barrier in society, but these two broke it in the olympics which was one of the biggest feats in sports history.
ReplyDeleteWatching the documentary Salute really showed me how much Tommie Smith and John Carlos really had impacted the Civil Rights Movement. Each of those track stars took a risk that day standing on top of that podium, and they won. By simply just raising their fists, they got the whole entire crowd in Mexico to go silent. Some may have thought that they got what they wanted to be heard out, but maybe thought it would’ve been a onetime thing. But after this happened, everyone around the world knew. Some liked how they were confident enough and proud enough to do it, but there were still others that didn’t agree with allowing blacks to play with them. Norman another key role in this movement was the one that got the short end of stick. By standing up and agreeing with both Smith and Carlos, he was looked down upon by his home town and not welcomed back. But at the end of the video hearing the later on in life all star athletes talk about how much they appreciated him was what made him not regret what he did. When I think about sports and blacks, I immediately think of Jackie Robinson. Robinson was another one that changed the way people looked at the game. By going out every game and taking shit from everyone being the only black in the league, really helped with this problem too. But what happened that day in the 68’ Olympics not only helped us allow blacks into our sports, but made the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteTommie Smith and John Carlos made a big impact on the integration of of athletes in sports. When they put their fists in the air it showed everyone that they are going to stand up for themselves and that they are not going to quit no matter what the consequences are. You can tell that this made an impact because they made the documentary we watched well after it happened. You can also see how it's important because they relate to it in Remember The Titans when the team integrated at a football camp. I think what Smith and Carlos did jump started a movement that got us to where we are today.
ReplyDeleteTommie Smith and John Carlos impacted the integration for sports and athletes all around. They were a strong factor towards the Civil Rights Movement because they had to prove themselves. I think that it Norman put himself in just as important of a situation as Smith and Carlos were in. Norman knew he would probably lose a lot of respect from many in this process, but as we saw towards the end of the video, so many athletes showed their appreciation for what he did. His voice and stance was able to transform sports into something larger than what it was. It has been able to bring in so much more competition and amazing athletes since.
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ReplyDeleteTommy Smith and John Carlos had a profound impact on the integration of sports. Not only did they prove African-Americans should be allowed in sports, but they proved that they could win. On the morning of October 16, 1968 Tommie Smith (USA) won the 200 meter race with a world-record time of 19.83 seconds. Peter Norman (Australia) finished second with a time of 20.06 seconds, and John Carlos (USA) finished third with a time of 20.10 seconds. After the race was completed, the three went to the podium for their medals. Smith and Carlos received their medals shoeless, but wearing black socks, to represent black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent black pride. Carlos had his tracksuit top unzipped to show solidarity with all blue collar workers in the U.S. and wore a necklace of beads which he described were for those individuals that were lynched, or killed and that no one said a prayer for. All three athletes wore Olympic Project for Human Rights badges after Norman (a critic of Australia's White Australia Policy) expressed an understanding of their ideals. This was a big step in the right direction getting support from Peter Norman. Along with this, as they turned to face their flags and hear the national anthem, Smith and Carlos raised a black-gloved fist and kept them raised until the anthem had finished. The men were ostracized by the U.S. sporting establishment and received much criticism. Time magazine showed the five-ring Olympic logo with the words, "Angrier, Nastier, Uglier", instead of "Faster, Higher, Stronger". Even back home, the men were subject to abuse. They and their families even received death threats. Clearly all of this was not for nothing, Smith and Carlos changed sports for African-American people. Their actions eventually helped remove Brundage as the IOC president, achieving one of OPHR's main goals. If you take a look at sports today, a majority of athletes are African-American and loved by pretty much everyone. Without Smith and Carlos, those athletes never would have had a chance. These two men brought other men and women so many opportunities with their bold act of African-American pride.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos have not only impacted civil rights in sports, but revolutionized the concept of solidarity and silent protest in competition. The black glove and hand in the air on the podium speaks volumes to all sorts of audiences. These two men showed that they were not afraid of racism. They stood up for themselves and showed the country, even the world as a matter of fact, that they would not put up with the racist actions that were happening around them. They presented many opportunities for other African Americans to act upon in sports, and promoted the fight for Civil Rights. These two men came back from almost being excluded from the Olympics and came back strong, winning first and second place. Carlos and Smith did not let the racist acts prevent them from success.
ReplyDeleteSmith and Carlos impacted the Civil Rights movement very much. As icons, fans and people alike will look up to them and follow what they do. Since they put up the black gloves and they are icons, people started to follow and try to change the Civil Rights situation. I think that Peter Norman had a big impact on it too. He already had a lot of respect from being a white, Australian sprinter who came out of nowhere to be "in the mix," and he risked all of that to help out Smith and Carlos and the movement. These three men had a HUGE impact on the Civil Rights movement and making sure African Americans get respect, as a whole. Smith and Carlos paved the way for black athletes, and are the reason black athletes get the respect they do today. These men were heroes in the movement.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Tommie Smith's and John Carlos' actions had a pretty big impact on the integration of sports. I think without them, sports today would be much different and much more hostile. They paved a way for blacks to be proud of who they are and what they do.
ReplyDeleteTommie Smith and John Carlos were among some of the most influential figures during the civil rights movement, particularly in the integration of sports. By following the peaceful but powerful techniques used by MLK Jr., they were able to make a statement that drew attention to a subject that had long been ignored. They used their position in the public eye to further a cause that so often had trouble being seen. Both athletes participated in this silent protest knowing full well that it would be met with controversy and criticism, and for this bravery they will never be forgotten. Along with many other African-American athletes such as Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Davis, Marlin Briscoe, Tommie Smith and John Carlos played a key role in making American major sports leagues what they are today.
ReplyDeleteBoth Tommie Smith and John Carlos had a huge influence in the civil rights movement in America in the 1960's. Not only did they fight through the discrimination and hatred by their peers, but they did it all on the biggest stage, The Olympics. Their silent protest which was really the raising of their fist with black gloves on them sent a message to the world that the African American community would not stand for this and action needed to be taken. These two men are a couple of the bravest athletes along with Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens when it came to paving the way for the culture of sports today.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Tommie Smiths and John Carlos actions defiantly spoke to the world in a positive way. The fact that both of then put there hands up like that while on the podium really showed that black people can succeed. And if they could win at the Olympics. Then they could most defiantly fight and win there freedom.
ReplyDeleteI have the utmost respect for John Carlos and Tommie Smith because anyone with the courage to do something standing up in front of the whole world like that is a true hero. This was in the midst of the civil rights movement in America and probably outraged many white supremacists, or anyone who didn't consider blacks equal to whites. Although sports were already integrated they didn't think that was enough, so they took it to sports to show that blacks are equal to whites. Their silent protest was a genius idea and they never seemed to get recognized for all they did, considering I hadn't heard of them until we watched the documentary.
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