There have been many moments in San Jose history that have made national + international ripples, and today we’re taking a closer look at one of them.
In 1968, two San Jose State University student-athletes stood on a podium with fists raised as the “Star Spangled Banner” played behind them. This moment would eventually be remembered as one of the biggest events in Olympics history + the Civil Rights movement.
SJSU student-athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, are known for their Black Power salute during the 1968 Olympics. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
🏅 The protest
These athletes — Tommie Smith and John Carlos — were prominent members of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR). Through advocating for change within the International Olympic Committee, the two decided that if one of them won a medal, they’d use their moment on the world stage to protest racial injustice in America .
After Smith and Carlos placed first and third in the 200-meter race, they took to the winner’s podium and accepted their medals wearing black socks, black scarves, black gloves and beads. These were used to symbolize poverty + Black pride, and to honor the countless African Americans who were brought over on the Middle Passage or later lynched .
Then, the men took their positions and raised their fists in the Black Power salute. Peter Norman — the white Australian athlete who had placed second — empathized with the protest and joined the men in wearing a OPHR badge.
All three men faced serious personal and professional backlash for their involvement in the protest.
The “Victory Salute” statue at SJSU encourages viewers to “Take a Stand.” | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
✊ The legacy in San Jose
In 2005, SJSU student Erik Grotz learned about Smith and Carlos’s story and pushed the school to formally recognize these unsung heroes. The result was a statue entitled, “Victory Salute,” which memorialized that historic moment.
The 22-foot statue prominently features Smith and Carlos, but Norman requested that his space in the statue be left empty so that viewers could “Take a Stand” and join the movement.
To view the statue, you can visit the lawn behind Tower Hall at SJSU — and to learn more, check out videos from SJSU’s Landmark + Legacy event and their booklet on SJSU’s legacy of social action .
What other moment in San Jose’s history would you like to learn about? Let us know.