Subject of

Civil Rights History Project, American, founded 2009

Interview of

Carlos, John Wesley Ph. D., American, born 1945

Interviewed by

Cline, David P. Ph. D., American, born 1969

Subject of

Garvey, Marcus, Jamaican, 1887 - 1940

X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965

Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

East Texas State University, American, founded 1889

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Created by

Olympic Project for Human Rights, American, 1967 - 1968

Medium

digital

Dimensions

Duration: 02:06:42

Type

video recordings

oral histories

digital media - born digital

Place collected

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Mexico City, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

August 18, 2013

Description

The oral history consists of nine digital files: 2011.174.103.1a, 2011.174.103.1b, 2011.174.103.1c, 2011.174.103.1d, 2011.174.103.1e, 2011.174.103.1f, 2011.174.103.1g, 2011.174.103.1h, 2011.174.103.1i.

John Carlos, Ph. D. discusses his childhood in Harlem, New York, the changes that he saw in Harlem with the widespread use of heroin and the splintering of families, and describes the disparities in education for black children when he was growing up. He remembers the influence of black leaders including Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Carlos was recruited to run track at East Texas State University, where he experienced racial discrimination and was treated poorly by his coach. He explains his protest at the 1968 Olympics, including the symbols that he and Tommie Smith employed to protest racial discrimination, and he describes the emotional impact that the protest had on him.

LOC ID: afc2010039_crhp0103

Topic

African American

Activism

American South

Athletes

Children

Civil rights

Education

Families

Olympics

Race discrimination

Race relations

Social reform

Track and field

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in partnership with the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Object number

2011.174.103.1a-i

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Civil Rights History Project

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Palm Beach, American, founded 1922

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

unidentified fiber with polyester, felt, plastic , metal, and thread

Dimensions

H x W (.1 Jacket): 33 1/4 × 19 in. (84.5 × 48.3 cm)

H x W (.2 Pants (folded)): 46 × 14 in. (116.8 × 35.6 cm)

H x W (.2 Pants (open)): 46 × 16 1/4 in. (116.8 × 41.3 cm)

Type

jackets

pants

Place used

Mexico City, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

Jacket and pants from the 1968 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

.1 A red suit jacket with notched lapels. There are two button holes on the front on the proper left side. There are two buttons to the proper left of the button holes. There is are two buttons on each of the sleeves and two pockets with flaps, one on either side of the jacket near the waist.

There is a navy felt patch on the proper left side below the breast pocket. It has designs in several different color threads. On the outer edges of the patch there are two gold olive branches, one on either side. In between the branches, at the bottom of the patch, it reads [U.S.A.]. In the center of the patch there is a shield trimmed in gold thread. The top of the shield is blue and has a white shape inside. Inside the white shape are the five (5) interlocking Olympic rings in blue, gold, black, green, and red. The bottom half of the shield has seven (red) red and six (6) white alternating vertical lines, trimmed in gold. Coming out of the top of the shield are two (2) flag poles, one crossed over the other. The American flag is on the proper right side and is backwards. The Mexican flag is on the proper left side and is facing the proper direction.

The inside of the jacket is lined in red shiny polyester. There is a black manufacturer's label sewn into the proper left side where the pocket it. It reads [TAILORED BY / Palm Beach (R)] in yellow. There is a slit on either side of the jacket at the bottom. There are some loose threads on the inside of the jacket.

.2 A pair of white pants with black vertical pinstripes. The stripes along the waistband are horizontal. There is a metal fastener in the front of the pants along with a button and button hole and a white plastic zipper. There are several belt loops along the waistband. There is a pocket without a flap on either side of the pants. There are some loose threads and runs in the fabric as well as some spots and stains. There is a white tag inside the waistbands of the pants.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tommie and Delois Smith

Object number

2016.110.1.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

PUMA, German, founded 1948

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

suede, rubber, leather, metal, Velcro (TM), and ink

Dimensions

H x W x D (a: left cleat): 3 1/2 × 4 × 11 in. (8.9 × 10.2 × 27.9 cm)

H x W x D (b: right cleat): 3 1/2 × 4 × 11 in. (8.9 × 10.2 × 27.9 cm)

Type

cleats

sports uniforms

Place used

Mexico City, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

A pair of Tommie Smith's track cleats.

The main parts of the shoes are made of a red suede. There are off white stripes on both sides of the shoes. The stripes are wider near the fronts of the shoes and get thinner as the move towards the backs of the shoes. There is off white trim around the tops of the shoes. There is an off-white leather section on the fronts of the shoes with four straps attached to a piece of Velcro. There is an off-white shape on the backs of the shoes above the heels.

The top 1/4 of the bottoms of the shoes are off white suede with seven (7) metal spikes. There are some dark areas of discoloration around the spikes. The bottom 3/4 is a yellow textured leather.

There are some loose threads on the straps of the shoes. The soles of the shoes are off white. There are blue numbers stamped along the insides of the shoes. They are a size 10 1/2 and there are several other numbers that follow.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Clothing and dress

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tommie and Delois Smith

Object number

2016.110.2ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Used by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

leather, cotton, plastic, metal, and ink

Dimensions

H x W x D: 11 3/4 × 18 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (29.8 × 47 × 19.1 cm)

Type

bags (containers)

Place used

Mexico City, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

A 1968 Olympic travel bag.

The navy bag has rounded corners on the top. The front panel of the bag and the back panel of the bag are trimmed in white. There is a metal zipper going along the top center of the bag. The zipper pull reads [TALON] and has vertical grooved lines. On the front of the bag and the back of the bag there are two metal rings. There is a white plastic handle connected to them. There is text screen-printed on both sides of the bag. It reads [USA] in red with a white outline and [OLYMPIC TEAM] in white underneath. Some of the text has scratches and smudges. There are also some spots on other areas of the bag and on the handles.

There is a white faded rectangle on the back of the bag in the top proper right corner. Tommie Smith's autograph appears in black ink. The bottom of the bag has six (6) metal rivets, three along the front and three along the back.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tommie and Delois Smith

Object number

2016.110.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Russell Athletics, American, founded 1902

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Subject of

Santa Clara Valley Youth Village, American, founded 1944

Medium

synthetic fiber

Dimensions

H x W: 29 × 17 3/4 in. (73.7 × 45.1 cm)

Type

sports uniforms

Place used

Santa Clara, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1965

Description

A Santa Clara track singlet.

A golden yellow sleeveless shirt. The two sides have a rounded slit at the bottom. There are green letters sewn onto the front. They read [SANTA CLARA]. There is a white manufacturer's label inside the singlet at the neck. It reads [Russell / Southern / Co.] in red with a black "L".

The shirt has several spots, stains, and areas of discoloration. There are also a few loose threads on the bottom of the shirt.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Clothing and dress

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tommie and Delois Smith

Object number

2016.110.4

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Issued by

Mexican Mint, Mexican, founded 1535

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

silver and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 16 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 1/8 in. (41.9 × 3.8 × 0.3 cm)

Type

commemoratives

necklaces

coins

Place used

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Place made

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

This commemorative 25 peso coin attached to a chain necklace was worn by Tommie Smith during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. The front of the coin has a central symbol of a person in Native dress playing a traditional Mexican game called ollamaliztli. Text around the rim reads "JUEGOS DE LA XIX OLIMPIADA MEXICO 1968" with the five Olympic coins at the bottom of the rim. The reverse of the coin features the coat of arms of Mexico, an eagle standing on a prickly pear cactus while eating a rattlesnake. Text around the upper half of the rim reads "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS" with "25 / PESOS" at the proper left center rim and "LEY/ 0720" at the proper right center rim. The coin is attached to a long metal chain link so that the front side faces correctly while the back side faces upside down.

Topic

African American

Black power

Civil Rights

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.231.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Empress Specialty Co.

Owned by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Subject of

Olympic Project for Human Rights, American, 1967 - 1968

Medium

metal and plastic

Dimensions

H x W x D: 2 9/16 × 2 1/2 × 3/8 in. (6.5 × 6.4 × 1 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Date

1967-1968

Description

This pinback button owned by Tommie Smith represents the Olympic Project for Human Rights. The front of the button has a white ground with two (2) green leaves extending from the bottom center around the sides and nearly meeting at the top center. Inside the leaves at the center of the button is black text reading "OLYMPIC / PROJECT / FOR / HUMAN / RIGHTS". Text in green ink is visible along the reverse bottom edge of the button that reads "Empress Specialty Co. NYC NY 10010". The reverse of the button is silver metal with a horizontal pinback closure.

Topic

African American

Black power

Civil Rights

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.231.4

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Wilson Sporting Goods Co., American, founded 1914

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

synthetic fiber

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 31 1/2 × 13 1/2 × 10 in. (80 × 34.3 × 25.4 cm)

Type

shirts

sports uniforms

Place used

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

This navy blue singlet was worn by Tommie Smith while competing in events representing Team USA at the 1968 Olympic Games. The sleeveless scoop neck jersey is made from navy blue synthetic fiber. Red fabric letters outlined in white fabric reading "U S A" are embroidered to the jersey across the chest. Beneath the letters is a large rectangular white fabric label with black printed text reading "307 / JUEGOS DE LA XIX OLIMPIADA MEXICO 68". A label of similar size with the same text is sewn across the back of the jersey below the shoulder blades. A manufacturer's label For Wilson is sewn to the exterior proper left side just above the hem that also contains care and size information. The inside of the jersey is not lined. A band of cream cotton fabric is sewn to the interior back across the shoulders.

Topic

African American

Black power

Civil Rights

Clothing and dress

Men

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.231.1.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Russell Athletics, American, founded 1902

Worn by

Smith, Tommie, American, born 1944

Medium

synthetic fiber and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 16 × 18 × 10 1/2 in. (40.6 × 45.7 × 26.7 cm)

Type

athletic shorts

sports uniforms

Place used

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

These white athletic shorts were worn by Tommie Smith while competing in events representing Team USA at the 1968 Olympic Games. The shorts are made from a white synthetic fabric with red, white, and blue striped woven tape sewn along the outer side seams and around the hem of the leg openings. The shorts have an elastic waist band. They are not lined. A manufacturer's label reading "Russell / Southern / Co." with size and style number is sewn to the interior center back below the waist band. A paper label is attached with string to the interior proper left side seam with black handwritten text reading "L-84-7:1".

Topic

African American

Black power

Civil Rights

Clothing and dress

Men

Olympics

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.231.1.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture