A white placard with a gold ribbon attached to the top, worn by Professor Sherie Randolph during a December 13, 2014 protest march organized by Millions March NYC in New York City. Centered on the front of the placard is handwritten text in black ink, green ink, red ink, and graphite that reads, [BLACK CRIME = Gang Violence / MUSLIM CRIME = Terrorism / LATINO CRIME = Illegal / Immigration / WHITE CRIME = SELF / DEFENSE / Police Crime = Heroism]. Centered on the back of the placard is handwritten text in black ink, red ink, green ink, and graphite that reads, [EMMETT / sTILL / #BLACKLIVESMATTER]. The gold ribbon has been threaded through holes punched in the top corners of the placard and knotted in place.
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.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in partnership with the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress