Comments on: San Jose State University – The Tommie Smith John Carlos Statue http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/ Success in Track & Field ... and Life Wed, 23 May 2012 21:21:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: SJSU Employee & Student http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-261815 SJSU Employee & Student Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:49:23 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-261815 If you would have done your research you would have understood that Peter Norman, the Australian athlete that took 2nd, volunteered to not be included in the SJSU campus statues because he wanted to give students a chance to rally around the statues and "take a stand" in what they believe in. If you have ever visited the statues yourself you would notice that in his place stand a plaque that states "Fellow Athlete Australian Peter Norman stood here in solidarity. Take a stand." If you would have done your research you would have understood that Peter Norman, the Australian athlete that took 2nd, volunteered to not be included in the SJSU campus statues because he wanted to give students a chance to rally around the statues and “take a stand” in what they believe in. If you have ever visited the statues yourself you would notice that in his place stand a plaque that states “Fellow Athlete Australian Peter Norman stood here in solidarity. Take a stand.”

]]> By: Jimson Lee http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-224167 Jimson Lee Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:07:58 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-224167 @ozzie, I am not sure of the latter photo, but I will ask around. The first photo is available here: http://speedendurance.com/2008/07/16/tommie-smith-john-carlos-40-years-later/ @ozzie, I am not sure of the latter photo, but I will ask around. The first photo is available here:

http://speedendurance.com/2008/07/16/tommie-smith-john-carlos-40-years-later/

]]> By: ozzie http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-222766 ozzie Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:05:20 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-222766 I was deeply touched by this protest that took place in 68. What Smith and Carlos did was a great example of selflessness and bravery and I thank them for standing up especially during the Olympic Ceremony for what they strongly believed in: inequality and injustice is simply wrong and evil. But what Peter Norman did was something he simply didn't have to do considering the fact that he was a caucasian in 1968. When I heard about Peter Norman I added him to "my heroes list". I can't wait to see the documentary. Hayley by the way thank you for clearing it up because I too was wondering why his statue wasn't on the podium. It even makes him a bigger hero in my eyes that he agreed to be left out. What he did was extraordinary although he seems to be humble about it. To this day his time in 200 meters is unbroken in Australia. The picture brought tears to my eyes where Smith and Carlos paying their respects by carrying his coffin at his funeral. Does anyone know a website that sells the poster of both pictures? The protest during the 68 ceremony and his coffin being carried by Smith and Carlos? I was deeply touched by this protest that took place in 68. What Smith and Carlos did was a great example of selflessness and bravery and I thank them for standing up especially during the Olympic Ceremony for what they strongly believed in: inequality and injustice is simply wrong and evil. But what Peter Norman did was something he simply didn’t have to do considering the fact that he was a caucasian in 1968. When I heard about Peter Norman I added him to “my heroes list”. I can’t wait to see the documentary. Hayley by the way thank you for clearing it up because I too was wondering why his statue wasn’t on the podium. It even makes him a bigger hero in my eyes that he agreed to be left out. What he did was extraordinary although he seems to be humble about it. To this day his time in 200 meters is unbroken in Australia. The picture brought tears to my eyes where Smith and Carlos paying their respects by carrying his coffin at his funeral. Does anyone know a website that sells the poster of both pictures? The protest during the 68 ceremony and his coffin being carried by Smith and Carlos?

]]> By: Hayley http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-204625 Hayley Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:41:40 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-204625 For the posters above ... It's well documented that Peter Norman agreed to the design and being left out. The concept is that anyone can stand on the podium and, in essence, stand for something like John Carlos, Tommie Smith AND Peter Norman did. The idea is that Peter is letting people take his place to take a stand against injustice. No disrespect was meant by leaving him out of the statue physically. If anything, his absence is a reminder of the spirit of his support. For the posters above …

It’s well documented that Peter Norman agreed to the design and being left out. The concept is that anyone can stand on the podium and, in essence, stand for something like John Carlos, Tommie Smith AND Peter Norman did. The idea is that Peter is letting people take his place to take a stand against injustice. No disrespect was meant by leaving him out of the statue physically. If anything, his absence is a reminder of the spirit of his support.

]]> By: Bud Houston http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-79566 Bud Houston Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:50:24 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-79566 I agree with "anonymous" above. The statue was not a great composition without including Silver medalist Peter Norman who was wearing an OPHR badge to show his support for the two Americans. That being said, I'm gratified that Tommie Smith (Gold) and John Carlos (Bronze) are accorded such a tribute today. Back then (yes, I'm an old man)they were broadly reviled by white racist America for lifting their black power salute. Regards, Bud Houston I agree with “anonymous” above. The statue was not a great composition without including Silver medalist Peter Norman who was wearing an OPHR badge to show his support for the two Americans.

That being said, I’m gratified that Tommie Smith (Gold) and John Carlos (Bronze) are accorded such a tribute today. Back then (yes, I’m an old man)they were broadly reviled by white racist America for lifting their black power salute.

Regards,
Bud Houston

]]> By: Karen http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-73775 Karen Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:43:35 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-73775 I'd like to comment on the top poster. Thank you for stating that. Yes its certainly not showing Peter Norman any respect for standing up for black America. Peter Norman played a huge part by showing his support and wearing the badge. What other white man in 1968 would be brave enough to do that. As an American I was amazed to know what happened to Peter Norman during and after this event. I just saw the film "Salute" which was made by Peter Norman's nephew Matt Norman. Must check it out. salutethemovie.com and it's being released here in America later this year i'm told. I’d like to comment on the top poster. Thank you for stating that. Yes its certainly not showing Peter Norman any respect for standing up for black America. Peter Norman played a huge part by showing his support and wearing the badge. What other white man in 1968 would be brave enough to do that. As an American I was amazed to know what happened to Peter Norman during and after this event. I just saw the film “Salute” which was made by Peter Norman’s nephew Matt Norman. Must check it out. salutethemovie.com and it’s being released here in America later this year i’m told.

]]> By: Jack Mayeron http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-58657 Jack Mayeron Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:15:16 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-58657 Artists depart from total realism to convey themes. From the perspective that Carlos and Smith effectively used that moment to make a statement that became more significant than a medal ceremony, the statue speaks volumes. As a matter of fact, when I watched this ceremony in 1968, Carlos and Smith, with their now famous "Black Power" salute is all I remember seeing. Artists depart from total realism to convey themes. From the perspective that Carlos and Smith effectively used that moment to make a statement that became more significant than a medal ceremony, the statue speaks volumes. As a matter of fact, when I watched this ceremony in 1968, Carlos and Smith, with their now famous “Black Power” salute is all I remember seeing.

]]> By: anonymous http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-57695 anonymous Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:20:58 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-57695 I find this statue to be quite self indulgent to be honest. As an Australian knowing Peter Norman's version of events I believe this represents what Smith and Carlos were trying to prevent and take a stand against, inequality and basic human rights and respect. 3 people were involved and to only represent 2 is making their act just like what they are fighting against. To use the excuse of letting people stand their for pictures really is a silly equation and the truth is that there was no place for the white guy on a black tribute display. I find this statue to be quite self indulgent to be honest.

As an Australian knowing Peter Norman’s version of events I believe this represents what Smith and Carlos were trying to prevent and take a stand against, inequality and basic human rights and respect. 3 people were involved and to only represent 2 is making their act just like what they are fighting against.

To use the excuse of letting people stand their for pictures really is a silly equation and the truth is that there was no place for the white guy on a black tribute display.

]]> By: San Jose State University - Saving Winter Field | SpeedEndurance.com http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-57567 San Jose State University - Saving Winter Field | SpeedEndurance.com Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:03:08 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2009/11/25/san-jos-state-university-the-tommie-smith-john-carlos-statue/#comment-57567 [...] viewing the Tommie Smith - John Carlos 23 foot statute at San José State University, the next item on my agenda was to drive down S 10th street towards [...] [...] viewing the Tommie Smith – John Carlos 23 foot statute at San José State University, the next item on my agenda was to drive down S 10th street towards [...]

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