By shelz.
It’s one of the most powerful pictures of the 20th century. Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood steadfast and stoic, black-gloved fists raised to the sky and heads lowered, representing both their country and the brave movement unfolding within. The timeless image that’s worth much more than 1000 words is a complete encapsulation of the pride, pain and struggle of the 60’s wrapped into a millisecond and captured on film. Indelible.
However, that shot is one moment captured in silence. When you look at it, you don’t hear the boos and heckles from the crowd. You can’t read the rage hurled at them from the most respected news outlets and publications of the day. You can’t sit and sulk through the discussion and announcement that banned them from ever competing again. The photo is still and quiet. Life right after it for the runners was deafening negativity.
These days the talented 10th seems more enamored with how far the ghosts of the past have brought them than concerned with how much further they can push. The picture is a bittersweet testament to a movement interrupted. Public power clashes have turned once mighty groups into caricatures of their former selves and the handful of leaders still around from that time have either been branded untrustworthy or eccentrically radical. Even in this cynical climate this shot rejuvenates a buried desire to overcome (Unless you are under the impression we already did). Either way, you have to admit just looking at it makes you reconsider that afro and Africa medallion.
Today is the anniversary of Smith and Carlos barring from Olympic athletics by International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage, a man who turned a blind eye to the Nazi salutes that were flung with conviction at Olympic competitions in the past. The runners may have anticipated the hate filled out cry that included death threats, but that made it no less horrifying. The fact that did it anyway, makes them more than heroic.
I’m feeling all black and proud right now so I’m going to carry that sentiment over into the musical realm and dig up some complimentary jams. Don’t get me wrong, folks of other races are cool, but sometimes you need to reconnect, find your center and be all about you. If you don’t have pride in yourself no one else is going to take you seriously. So while I take that trip to the attic to find my dashiki, enjoy the tunes.
Boogie Down Productions – “Black Man in Effect”
Peter Tosh – “African”
Run-DMC – “Proud To Be Black”
Parliament – “Chocolate City”
01 – parliament – chocolate city
X-Clan – “Funkin Lesson”
Jungle Brothers Feat. Q-Tip – “Black is Black”
Public Enemy – “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”
12-black-steel-in-the-hour-of-chaos
Nas – “Yall My N*ggas”
[pro-player width=’455′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-mNjh2y_rM[/pro-player]
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