Ellis

Although the Olympics was off to a rocky start, the games began as scheduled. However, the games were not immune from further protest. This time two black American track and field runners, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, made a controversial stand against racism in the United States. Teammates at San Jose University, Smith and Carlos were both competitors in the 200-meter race. Smith won the gold with the time of 19.5 seconds and Carlos won the bronze. At the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos stood on the platform wearing black socks without shoes, they both wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, and Smith wore a black scarf around his neck. As the American flag was raised and the National Anthem was played, Smith and Carlos bowed their heads and each raised a gloved fist in the black power salute. Because of their actions, the Olympic Committee barred them from competing in other events. Back in the United States, instead of receiving a celebration of their achievements, they were subjected to death threats and their actions were the subject of widespread debate. However, they did receive support from civil rights leaders. While at the time, Smith and Carlos’ method of protest was controversial, years later they were honored for their actions on numerous occasions.

Jack Johnson's skill as a fighter and the money that it brought him made him unable to be ignored by the white establishment. In the short term, the boxing world reacted against this legacy. Joe Louis, later, was not able to box for the heavyweight title until he proved he could "act white", and was warned against gloating over fallen opponents or having his picture taken with a white woman. But Johnson foreshadowed, in many ways, perhaps the most famous boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali. In fact, Muhammad Ali often spoke of how he was influenced by Jack Johnson. He identified with him because he felt white America ostracized him in the same manner because of his opposition to the war in Vietnam. Muhammad Ali in his autobiography relates how he and Joe Frazier agreed that Johnson and Joe Louis were the greatest boxers of old.