Despite the myth John Carlos’s goal in this protest was never just black power but power to all people, human rights and much, much more. He also inspired many people like the controversial player Colin Kaepernick. He united the world in the fight against racism, getting praise from multiple nations like England who, already passed anti discrimination laws and removing segregation from schools, pubs, restaurants and countless others. An interview with John Carlos described the feelings he felt at that iconic moment as "terrifying" as the KKK could have shot him then and there despite having a worldwide audience.
Raising their fists brought the world to shock, as the American Olympic team manager said “The Olympics are no place for domestic politics” yet he allowed the Nazi salute in the 1938 Olympics which he also was president of the Olympic committee for. This caused a ton of controversy as the president of the Olympic Committee Al Brundidge had countless recorded moments of where he praised the white man, hate groups and white supremacy in general. Knowing this John Carlos had to send a message to Al Brundidge by getting white athlete, Peter Norman into this as well to show the world that its not just a black mans fight but a fight for all race, from the Untouchables in India, to the persecution of White men and women in Africa in places like Zimbabwe and South Africa this united the world together but it would have been a faded moment in history if a member of the American Row team hadn't given Peter Norman his Olympic Badge for Human Rights to support John Carlos and Tommie Smith.
Raising their fists brought the world to shock, as the American Olympic team manager said “The Olympics are no place for domestic politics” yet he allowed the Nazi salute in the 1938 Olympics which he also was president of the Olympic committee for. This caused a ton of controversy as the president of the Olympic Committee Al Brundidge had countless recorded moments of where he praised the white man, hate groups and white supremacy in general. Knowing this John Carlos had to send a message to Al Brundidge by getting white athlete, Peter Norman into this as well to show the world that its not just a black mans fight but a fight for all race, from the Untouchables in India, to the persecution of White men and women in Africa in places like Zimbabwe and South Africa this united the world together but it would have been a faded moment in history if a member of the American Row team hadn't given Peter Norman his Olympic Badge for Human Rights to support John Carlos and Tommie Smith.