February 25, 2008
2. Moment of Pride
Oh man, I never felt such a rush of pride. Even hearing "The Star Spangled Banner" was pride, even though it didn't totally represent me. But it was the anthem which represented the country I represented, can you see that? They say we demeaned the flag...that's the American flag and I'm an American. But I couldn't salute it in the accepted manner, because it didn't represent me fully; only to the extent of asking me to be great on the running track, then obliging me to come home and be just another nigger.
~Tommie Smith
As quoted in the Spring 2008 issue of American Legacy
*American Legacy Spring 2008 cover story
*Tommie Smith's website
*John Carlos' website
*Wikipedia entry on the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics
*Video tribute on YouTube
| Printer-friendly version
Comments