On this edition of In Black America, producer/host John L. Hanson Jr. present’s part one of a two-part discussion with Dr. Tommie Smith, Olympian, civil rights activist, and co- author of 'Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice.’
![Dr. Tommie Smith stands on an Olympic Podium with a gold medal around his neck. He is lowering his head and raising his fist.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a4cc02a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/880x494+0+0/resize/880x494!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F64%2F1d%2Fc27d515e489d85c7b0ba85d1e565%2Fdr.%20Tommie%20Smith.jpeg)
In 1968, at the 19th Olympiad held in Mexico City – Smith and John Carlos made a silent gesture regarding the abuse of human rights around the world and civil rights here in America. Smith and Carlos won the gold and silver medals, respectively, for the 200- meter dash. Receiving their medals on the podium - wearing black socks and no shoes - they raised their fists and froze a moment in time that will forever be remembered as a powerful day of protest.
Smith talks about growing up in rural Texas, moving to California, becoming a stellar athlete, attending San Jose State University, what led to the Olympic protest and racial injustice in America.