Pugno Chiuso Contra il Razzismo USA
Translation: Fist Closed Against Racism in the USA
Partito Comunista Italiano (PCI)
Photographer: John Dominis
Offset, Circa 1968
Rome, Italy
5818
Text Translation:
Fist Closed Against Racism in the USA
Smith and Carlos at the Olympic Games
Bare Feet: the poverty of the Black people
Black Glove: the mourning of the Black people
Closed Fist: the willingness to fight
The Italian Communists are with them against imperialism and racism
At the 1968 Olympics, sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists in the air during the Star Spangled Banner. They also removed their shoes to symbolize the poverty of Black Americans and black beads to honor those who died at the hands of lynch mobs. The Silver medalist, Australian Peter Norman, also wore a Human Rights Badge in solidarity with Smith and Carlos. As a result, all three were ostracized by the Olympic community and expelled from the games for their acts of protest against racism in the U.S. and in competitive sports. Smith later stated, “It was a cry for freedom.”
Many Black athletes have been front and center of many past and present Olympic advertisements and promotional material. Simone Biles, in particular, has been the focus of both criticism and adulation.
Biles—despite having won plenty of medals for the USA—drew criticism during the 2020 Olympics for stepping out of the team final due to having “the twisties,” a gymnastics term for losing air awareness during flight. While she courageously cited her mental health as a concern, the media criticized her as a quitter.
As people realized that the routines Biles was to have performed could easily be deadly, Biles was seen as heroic for having the courage to step away from the competition. By prioritizing her mental and physical well-being over medals, she opened the door for other athletes struggling with mounting pressure. Biles has also previously spoken out against abuse in the sport and supported Black athletes from the U.S. and other countries by training with them at her gym in Texas.
Smith, Carlos, and Biles have all used their platforms to champion unpopular opinions about Black athletes' and people's rights, including at the Olympics. Biles has rightfully used her platform to stand up for herself and her community. In holding the sport of gymnastics accountable, Biles has intertwined herself into a much greater legacy of Black athlete activism. Smith, Carlos, Norman, and Biles should all be lauded as American heroes and patriots, and Biles — of course, is the greatest of all time!
References:
Comments