Mexico City, 1968 Sculpture

In the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, American gold medalist (200 meter dash) Tommie Smith shocked the world with his black fist protest in favor of Black Rights in America. he was joined by fellow American and bronze medalist John Carlos. The famous image of these men raising their fists is iconic, and asa young boy, unforgettable for me. Both athletes were immediately expelled from the Games, kicked off the US Olympic Team, and sent him immediately. Both received death threats and suffered for years as a result of their protest. My hand-carved statue commemorates that feat of courage. Smith’s oversized fist represents the enormity of his gesture. And the figure’s oversized, shoeless feet represent the athlete’s awareness-raising gesture of homelessness in America - Smith and Carlos were standing shoeless on the medal stand. This aspect of the drama is largely lost due the controversy surrounding the athlete’s Black Power symbol. The hollow oculus where the gold medal hangs around the figure’s neck represents Smith’s transcendence.