a history of pathetic shit
The US olympic committee kicked out the two sprinters (Smith and John Carlos) who raised their black fists in 68. I had no idea. The "on this day in history" piece in the nytimes made me embarassed for the USOC. I wonder if they ever apologized for their terrible behavior.
I will admit to having lost any faith in the olympics lately, this sad bit of history only makes it worse. At least we are allowed to openly mock Hitler's refusal to acknowledge black champions. This one, closer to home, seems to have just slipped right on by.
A quote that I find particularly offensive (note in particular the attempt to intimidate/threaten other black atheletes by the USOC):
"The untypical exhibitionism of these athletes also violates the basic standards of good manners and sportsmanship, which are so highly valued in the United States, and therefore the two men involved are suspended forthwith from the team and ordered to remove themselves from the Olympic Village.
"This action is taken in the belief that such immature behavior is an isolated incident. However, if further investigation or subsequent events do not bear out this view, the entire matter will be re-evaluated. A repetition of such incidents by other members of the United States team can only be considered a willful disregard of Olympic principles that would warrant the imposition of the severest penalties at the disposal of the United States Olympic Committee."
This statement was read by Roby to Evans, James and Freeman before they took the mark in the 400. Evans and Freeman had been identified with Smith and Carlos as black power advocates.
here's a link to "this day in sports"
If you wondered, Roby would be the racist white guy from the suburbs of detroit, a swimmer, that great, integrated sport.
I will admit to having lost any faith in the olympics lately, this sad bit of history only makes it worse. At least we are allowed to openly mock Hitler's refusal to acknowledge black champions. This one, closer to home, seems to have just slipped right on by.
A quote that I find particularly offensive (note in particular the attempt to intimidate/threaten other black atheletes by the USOC):
"The untypical exhibitionism of these athletes also violates the basic standards of good manners and sportsmanship, which are so highly valued in the United States, and therefore the two men involved are suspended forthwith from the team and ordered to remove themselves from the Olympic Village.
"This action is taken in the belief that such immature behavior is an isolated incident. However, if further investigation or subsequent events do not bear out this view, the entire matter will be re-evaluated. A repetition of such incidents by other members of the United States team can only be considered a willful disregard of Olympic principles that would warrant the imposition of the severest penalties at the disposal of the United States Olympic Committee."
This statement was read by Roby to Evans, James and Freeman before they took the mark in the 400. Evans and Freeman had been identified with Smith and Carlos as black power advocates.
here's a link to "this day in sports"
If you wondered, Roby would be the racist white guy from the suburbs of detroit, a swimmer, that great, integrated sport.
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