Week 30 - 2019
John Dominis, Black Power Salute, 1968, digital kopi. Preus Museum Collection
Quiet protest
Sometimes, when photographs become very important they achieve the status of “iconic images”; images left behind on behalf of the original event. This photograph is one such iconic image, and it has become one of many important photos from the turbulent times of the 1960s.
The Olympic games aims to be a celebration of community across country and continental borders. However, when the american sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos stepped up onto the podium during the Olympic games in Mexico 1968, they sought to destroy that illusion of perfect community. Right before the american national anthem was played, they bowed their heads and shot their fists (wearing black gloves) in the air; A Black Power Salute. The message was clear: before we can salute America, America must treat black people as equals.
“We knew what we had planned to do was way bigger than any athletic achievement” Carlos said later. According to the story Carlos forgot his gloves and silver medal winner Peter Norman from Australia suggested they take one glove each. This is the reason why we see Smith raising his right hand and Carlos his left. John Dominis, a photographer known to be quick on the trigger, captured another detail, adding an extra layer to the image. It’s just about visible on this somewhat cropped version: Smith is standing in just his socks, without running shoes, in order to symbolise black poverty. Additionally, all three are carrying a seal supporting the american organisation ‘Olympic Project for Human Rights’.
This image, together with many others can be seen in our mini exhibition “Iconic images” at Preus Museum.