Fighting the Idea to Glorify Raised Fists

There’s so much that could be said about this black-fisted salute on the victory stand at the ’68 Mexico City Olympic Games that it is nearly impossible to put into words, but I’ll try.

Why has it taken 35 years to think about erecting this statue to disrespect?

We are so angry that we are blind to the fact that there was a third athlete on that victory stand. We don’t even know his name or what country he represented. But, I do notice that he is standing at attention in respect for our national anthem.

That tells you everything you need to know about our present society. Respect and dignity go virtually unnoticed. If you want to be noticed you have to take an extreme position, just as Tommie Smith and John Carlos did 35 years ago. That nameless third athlete on the victory stand still gets my vote, noticed or unnoticed.

Robert H. Williams

Monterey Park