'We
were chosen by God to do what we did'
Olympic star John Carlos answers
questions in new book "Why?"
 At
23 years of age and in the prime of his athletic career, just
having won the Bronze Medal for the 200-meter race in the 1968
Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico, John Carlos, along with Gold
medallist Tommy Smith, did something that is rarely�or never�done
in the sports world: They defiantly raised one black-gloved fist
to protest racism in America and speak out for the poor and
oppressed. The historic silent protest cost John Carlos much: an
eviction from the Olympic Village, endorsements, book deals,
employment and his first wife. John said the government poisoned
her mind and confused and harassed her to the point where she took
her own life. Their two children were harassed and abused at
school, by adults and children. His family was constantly under
FBI surveillance. It has been long believed that the men were
stripped of their medals, but they retained them, and they still
count as victories for America, no less.
In his book, titled, "Why?", John Carlos shares the
road to the victory stand protest that enraged and empowered the
world, why he and Tommy Smith used their shining moment to speak
out, and the consequences that followed. Now 55-years-old, he is
the track and field coach at Palm Springs High School in Palm
Springs, Ca. Mr. Carlos granted an exclusive interview to Final
Call contributing writer Charlene Muhammad at a Dec. 16 book
signing.
Final Call News (FCN): How did you determine
the book�s title?
John Carlos (JC): I named the book "Why?"
because everyone was concerned about why didn�t you get your
medals?; why did you guys come together to boycott the Olympics?;
why did they kick you out of the Village?; why did your wife take
her life? Everybody had that same nagging question�why? The book
will answer all of the questions.
FCN: At 23-years-old then, compared to a
23-year-old today, you shouldered a lot of social responsibility.
How did you come to that?
JC: Basically, it was because of the time,
the era. It was the civil rights era. I think it was one of the
most prolific times in our history. I think we were chosen by God
to do what we did. We were born to do what we did.
FCN: Do you have any regrets?
JC: None whatsoever. I would do it tomorrow
if necessary.
FCN: Do you feel that America, Black or
white, owes you or Tommy Smith anything, with all that you�ve
sacrificed? Should there be reparations for you and your families?
JC: I don�t think they owe us anything.
When you stand to make a change, you stand for other people who
might be less fortunate than you. A tremendous number of Black
people were able to obtain jobs and better education because of
what we did, because we put our struggle on a world scale that the
picture should not be viewed as it was painted. Anything I get, I
want to get it by rolling up my sleeves and getting busy.
FCN: Was this act of protest
spontaneous?
JC: Actually, before the finals, I had one
question to ask my fellow teammate, Tommy Smith, that I was going
to do something but I didn�t know what I was going to do, and
what was his take on it? He agreed that something needed to be
done and he was with me. In terms of how we got together, I think
it was collectively. Tommy had the gloves and I had an idea. We
put them together and this was the end product.
FCN: Would you say the climate in the
country today, compared to that era, is any better or worse�socially
and economically�for Blacks?
JC: Blacks in the �60s were striving to
have a better situation. Things came about after the Civil Rights
marches and after the assassinations of Dr. King, John Kennedy and
the demonstrations. Blacks began to have a better social and
economic base because of the guilty feelings of the general powers
of this country. It was so evident what they had done to Blacks
and people of color in the United States.. Black people today are
very oppressed, particularly on the end of the economic scale. We�ve
had more Black people rise economically, and those individuals who
have risen economically have become separatists to their race. Not
many of them are reaching down to bring these young people to the
level that they are on; there is so much that they are not doing.
So many youths are gangbangers because no one�s pulling these
kids out. They are very intelligent but no one is trying to mold
them. Every time there is one who gets out, we take a bow like we�ve
done a fantastic job, but we have thousands of our youth out there
who need to make it out.
FCN: Do athletes today still have a
responsibility?
JC: They most definitely have a
responsibility. They probably have bigger responsibilities today
because there�s so much more in the world. We�ve been blessed
with the fact that we have this Internet now, and we can talk to
people on the other side of the world when we never had that
linkage to be able to make a universal connection; but now it�s
there and I think that�s why God let this book come about,
because it�s time.
FCN: Athletes garner multi-million
dollar contracts, but they are contingent upon various
restrictions. What can those who want to support the cause or
become political, but are afraid to, do?
JC: Anyone who has established some sort of
contractual commitment has to realize that he or she is the
package. They (contractor) might say, "We�re the cow that
provides the milk," but (the talent) has to realize that they�re
the grass that the cow has to eat in order to provide the milk. I
don�t think anyone should agree to having to sacrifice their
moral character and fortitude for the sake of dollars. There has
to be a compromise, and these young individuals have to know what
it is to compromise without giving up their dignity and be
themselves.
FCN: What would you say to the young
people of rap�who are highly criticized for their songs on
misogyny and negative images of women�regarding promoting the
struggle that you were engaged in? And is there still a need for
the movement?
JC: The need is going to always be. I don�t
think things are going to turn around 100 percent for Blacks or
minorities in my life and time, in yours or your kids� life and
time, or their kids� life and time. For the rappers, I think it
would serve them well if they would do a full-scale investigation
of their history. Once they get an opportunity to realize the
plight of the Black woman in America from slavery to the present
time, they would be more conscious about throwing the word b��
around. And they will understand that when you degrade the Black
woman you degrade the Black man because he is derived from the
Black woman. I do understand the frustrations of a lot of the
Black rappers and their vocabulary in their music, because that is
the environment in which they were born and raised. They are
living in hell on earth. They�re called the ghettoes or slums,
but it is merely their environment and the way we have been
oppressed, and it may be the only language they know. The
oppressor can�t say in one minute, "This is terrible,"
and promote this music in the next. They (critics) are going to
the source of the music instead of the individuals who sponsor the
music, which is the white society. All major record companies don�t
like what�s being said because they�re getting bombarded by
Black women in politics, but those individuals (companies) are
still promoting this type of music.
FCN: Thank you. |
