During the civil rights era, outstanding black athletes were often called upon to use their celebrity for the cause of racial equality. For various reasons, some failed to answer the call, but those who did attained heroic stature. The consequences for speaking up were often quite severe, and it is appropriate that those of us who benefited from their courage should hold them in great esteem.
An early champion of the protest against racial discrimination was Art Powell, a talented end for several professional football teams. Powell recently died at the age of 78. A native of California, he was unaccustomed to overt segregation. From his rookie year in 1959, Powell refused to play when black players were not permitted to stay in the same hotel with the rest of the team.
Powell was branded a troublemaker and some team owners were only too eager to trade him. However, his athletic prowess would always attract other competitive teams. As an Oakland Raider in 1963, Powell led the A.F.L. in receiving yards with 1,304 and with 16 touchdown catches, he also topped that category.
Powell’s protests were personal and did not attract the international attention that Tommie Smith and John Carlos did with the black power salute on the victory stand in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
As the gold medalist in the 200m race, Smith raised a black-gloved right fist during the playing of the U.S. national anthem while Carlos, the bronze medalist, raised his left fist. The salute represented black power and black unity in America. Most blacks in America were elated with their show of support but the International Olympic Committee was not so enthusiastic. They stripped Smith and Carlos of their medals and sent them home.
How times have changed. The silent Olympic salute has now become iconic. San Jose State University unveiled a statue in 2005 of their two alumni,, Smith and Carlos, on the victory stand in Mexico. Art Powell was also an alumnus of San Jose State University. It appears that assertiveness must have been part of the curriculum.
