Olympic icon John Carlos speaks on social justice, civil rights
At a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics, American sprinter John Carlos, right, and teammate Tommie Smith, centre, each raised a fist in the air in protest for civil rights. They also went barefoot to represent economic inequality, wore beads to evoke the chains and ropes used in racial lynchings and to symbolize the oppressed, and bowed their heads during the American national anthem. (Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, U.S. sprinter John Carlos climbed onto the podium and took a stance that changed his life鈥攁nd the world鈥攆orever.
After winning bronze in the 200m sprint, Carlos and teammate Tommie Smith, who took gold, raised their fists in a powerful protest for civil rights.
The moment, captured in the iconic photo above, remains one of the most overt political statements of the Olympic Games, and reverberated worldwide as a symbol of resistance, courage and change.
Fifty-seven years later, on February 4, Carlos, now 79, will speak at 成人大片 in honour of Black History Month. The event is free for students, faculty and staff.
View details on 成人大片 event with Dr. John Carlos.
鈥淛ohn Carlos has set an exemplary example for young people who are passionate about fighting injustice and changing the world for the better,鈥� said Jen McMillen, vice-provost-students.
鈥淲e are honoured to host him at 成人大片 so that students and other members of the community can learn from his legacy, and be inspired by his courage and achievements,鈥� she said.
Mark Stoddart, a Toronto-based entrepreneur, activist and community advocate who partnered with 成人大片 Athletics and Recreation to help facilitate the event, said he had a poster of Carlos鈥� protest image on his bedroom wall when he was growing up.
鈥淗is iconic silent gesture on the podium at the 1968 Olympics has profoundly impacted my life鈥� Listening to him speak will leave everyone inspired and motivated to make a difference,鈥� Stoddart said.
鈥楩or all of humanity鈥�
Carlos鈥� decision to use the Olympic platform in a moment of protest was not taken lightly. He and Smith had been planning it for months with the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR).
鈥淢y father fought in the first world war, my brother was in the air force, and my other brother fought in Vietnam. We did so in the name of freedom, for equality鈥� but look what was happening in our own country,鈥� he said, referring to an era in the U.S. plagued by issues of racial segregation, police brutality, economic inequality, gender discrimination, and the Vietnam War, in which the U.S. military draft disproportionately affected poor and minority communities.
While some advocated for Carlos and Smith to boycott the Games altogether, the pair believed their protest on the podium would have greater impact.
Black gloves, bare feet
At the medal ceremony, they wore black gloves to symbolize Black unity, bare feet to signify poverty, beads to evoke the chains and ropes used in racial lynchings and to symbolize the oppressed, and bowed their heads during the U.S. national anthem.
After the ceremony, western media reported their raised fists as having been a Black Power salute.
鈥淏ut it was for injustice everywhere. It was for all of humanity,鈥� Carlos said.
Since then, Carlos has dedicated his life to civil rights activism, humanitarian efforts and education, including having worked as a school counsellor and coach. (He also played briefly in the Canadian Football League, for the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes.)
His accolades include induction into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and a Congressional Gold Medal, among many.
John Carlos has inspired many worldwide through his civil rights activism and humanitarian efforts. (Photo courtesy of John Carlos)
The price of protest
While Carlos is hailed a hero today, back then the backlash from his Olympic protest hit hard.
Carlos faced death threats, hate letters and unemployment. He struggled to provide for his wife and kids.
鈥淭he only regret I have is not realizing the impact it would have on my family,鈥� he said.
Since those years, many of his critics have changed their views.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 that thing on the end of a pencil, an eraser? That was the greatest invention of all 鈥� because you can correct mistakes and move forward. I carry that strong in my heart,鈥� he said.
Lifelong mission, mentors
Carlos鈥� activism began early. At 14, he challenged local officials about insect control at his Harlem housing complex鈥攁nd won. He also led a high school cafeteria boycott over unsanitary food practices.
He credits mentors like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. for shaping his worldview.
At 13 or 14 years old, he heard Malcolm X on a local radio show, and ran down to the station.
鈥淚 told him I had questions I needed to ask him,鈥� he said, and a bond between them ensued.
Later, while preparing for his Olympic protest, he met with Dr. Martin Luther King, who supported his mission.
Advice for activists
When it comes to social activism today, Carlos has advice for anyone planning to speak out.
鈥淜now what you鈥檙e standing up for. Research it. Understand it. So that when the questions come, you鈥檙e prepared,鈥� he said, noting that at the time of his famous salute, the 鈥渕ost important place鈥� for him was the library.
鈥淭hat was our greatest asset,鈥� he said.
鈥淭o be able to research any endeavours, so we knew it inside and out鈥� Because we knew the media was going to come. You can't stand there scratching your head trying to figure out what to say鈥� you need to know what you're standing up for.鈥�
He says modern athlete-activists often succumb to financial pressures.
鈥淎 lot of people are more concerned about the dollar than humanity. That鈥檚 not the right road.鈥�
On the state of the world today, Carlos said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e doing a recycle. Trump鈥檚 鈥楳ake America Great Again鈥� - can every group in America say when America was great? No. And we can鈥檛 be neutral about it. You鈥檙e either going to be on the right side or the wrong side.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to speak up - because a lot of people sit back and say nothing until it鈥檚 upon them.鈥�
View event:
The 2025 Bold, Beautiful & Brilliant Speaking Engagement with Olympic Athlete and Activist, Dr. John Carlos
Related stories: