By: Lindsey Craig February 13, 2025
Fifty-seven years ago, John Carlos climbed the Olympic podium and raised his fist in protest for human rights. Today, it remains one of the world’s most powerful political statements.
Recently, Carlos, now 79, came to TMU to share his story.
In honour of Black History Month, students and community members from across the university gathered at the SLC for a special speaking engagement with the U.S. Olympian.
An audience of more than 250 people hung on every word.
Speaking out against injustice
Carlos’s courageous stance on the podium in 1968 thrust him into the global spotlight.
But it was a lifetime of witnessing social injustice— and speaking out against it— that led him to that life-changing moment.
From seeing firsthand how some governments helped the white and wealthy but not the poor, Black and marginalized, to witnessing the devastating effects of drugs on his community (and the normalization of it in elite circles), to seeing the unjust policing of racialized groups, and even being called the “n” word by a white boy he was trying to defend in a fight— the racial discrimination and social inequities he experienced growing up helped prepare him for the brave stance he would take in 1968.
Price to pay
While Carlos is considered a hero by many today, his actions came with a cost. He suffered backlash for many years — including receiving death threats and financial struggle.
Though he wished he had known the impact his actions would have on his family, he has always believed he did the right thing…
Source: Toronto Met Today News
Read the full story here.
@Toronto Metropolitan University