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Mimi Launder
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Flickr / Ur Cameras ; Twitter / khayadlanaga
Two black American athletes made history with an act of silent protest almost fifty years ago.
It is the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
As 'The 'Star-Spangled Banner' plays and medals are hung around athletes' necks, John Carlos and Tommie Smith raise their gloved fists in a protest that shook the world.
But you probably don't know the entire story behind the famous picture.
Many of us know this famous picture of Tommie Smith and John Carlos. But few know the bravery and tragedy of the wh… https://t.co/S0n3983ddL— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064025
The bravery of the 'other guy' in the shot, silver-medal-winner Peter Norman, was long unnoticed.
When Norman learnt his of his competitors' plans of a show of unity and defiance, he helped them out.
When he found out that Smith and Carlos were going to protest for equality, justice, he gave them the black gloves they wore.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064130
As you can see from the photo it's a single pair.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064153
Whilst Carlos and Smith lifted their fists, Norman had his own show of solidarity.
And it cost him.
Australia would not allow back to participate in the Olympics because he had stood in solidarity with Smith and Carlos.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064321
He could have prevented his suffering because he had been invited to condemn Smith and Carlos in exchange he would no longer be ostrocised.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064502
He would have been pardoned and been part of the organizing committee of the 2000 Australian Olympic Games. He refused.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064546
The consequences were that he was not allowed to march as part of the Australian team in 2000 either.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064579
But he continued to work for justice.
He continued to fight inequality in his country, speaking against the treatment of aboriginals and also worked as a butcher.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064423
John Carlos said, "If we were getting beat up, Peter was fighting an entire country and suffering alone."— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064454
Smith and Carlos stayed by his side.
In 2006, he died without much. Smith and Carlos attended his funeral and were pallbearers.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064615
Some heroes are barely recognised in their time.
Finally in 2012, six years after his passing, the Australian parliament offered Peter Norman an apology,— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064660
"(3) apologises to Peter Norman for the wrong done by Australia in failing to send him to the 1972 Olympics, despite repeatedly qualifying;— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064723
(4) belatedly recognises the powerful role that Peter Norman played in furthering racial equality."— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064770
Some heroes are never recognised. But he was not about recognition, he simply stood for what was right.— Khaya Dlanga (@Khaya Dlanga) 1508064877
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