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Last updated on March 6th, 2018 at 12:31 am
Australian sprinter Peter Norman has died at 64. Although a five-time national 200 metres champion, Norman’s most celebrated moment involved no movement at all. In 1968, he stood with US runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their black power salute at the 1968 Olympics:
Norman—I interviewed him a decade ago—quietly enjoyed his unusual semi-fame, and was amused rather than annoyed that captions of the salute image often declined to identify him. His second-place time in Mexico City remains an Australian record.
- Just watched this on Nine news and was bewildered. The commentary suggested he had joined his fellow place-getters in the salute, yet the video didn’t show it. Anyway, they all apparently turned out to have great respect for each other, which is great. And was Peter separated at birth (or mid-life)from Dick Cheney? Sorry, can’t find a recent pic online but recent Nine news footage revealed a strong resemblance.Posted by slatts on 2006 10 03 at 04:33 AM • permalink
- I’ve tried to find a link without success but very hazy memory suggests that after the black power salute, the 2 US gents engaged in an animated conversation during the playing of the US National Anthem – and invited Norman to participate in this snub & show of disrespect. Norman declined.Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 10 03 at 05:12 AM • permalink
Just watched this on Nine news and was bewildered. The commentary suggested he had joined his fellow place-getters in the salute, yet the video didn’t show it.
Memories. Peter Norman did not join in the salute. He did however wear a “human rights” badge identical to those worn by the Americans which was handed to him during a conversation with them immediately before the ceremony. My memory is he said later he had asked for the badge.
Hard to criticise him for that. But he did cop some flack for it around here. “Politicising the Olympics” and all that stuff. Ahuh.
- #10 That is what I have read in interviews Norman gave – might even have been the one Tim did. He asked them what they planned and to explain a bit about their grievances then told them he’d like to wear a badge as a show of solidarity with them. I think they were well behaved during the national anthem, just stood with heads bowed and fists raised. they were sent home for their troubles.
By contrast the US 4 x 100 gold medal winners in Sydney behaved like dickheads and no-one cared. Guess its different times and they didn’t make a political statement.
The news is a big coincidence for me as I am in New Orleans at the moment and last night pointed out to my wife posters of the above photo for sale in Bourbon Street (without Norman identified) and explained to her who he was and what the context was. Wake up this morning and he is gone.
- Is that what that was about? I just thought they could only afford one pair of gloves.Posted by Jim Treacher on 2006 10 03 at 09:42 AM • permalink
- I wasn’t born until 1986, so I may be slightly inaccurate.
Mark of Monroe, it was probably time someone took a stand against a racism problem. Such as it’s now obviously time for someone to take a stand against the Muslim reverse racism problem. How does that make them a national embarrasment.
And I bet that Mr. Smith and Mr. Carlos could run a hell of a lot faster than you.
Tim, how did it feel interviewing Mr. Norman in light of his obvious sensitivity and ability to consider another person’s view?
- I don’t give a damn how fast Smith or Carlos could run. That’s the whole point. They took a moment of personal and national triumph and took a dump on it. At least if they’d held up The Bronx Salute we would all know they were being crass, selfish showboats. Anyone care to tell me how well that attitude has served the African-American community (or anyone else) in the last 40 years?
By the way, 1968 was 4 years after the passing of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, so what the hell did they want? Who knows? Who cares? It’s all attitude and posture, and it’s garbage.
- One last note: It’s pretty clear to me that sometimes it’s OK to say the other guy’s point of view is just not worth caring about.
- AshEmery–Kallie, is that you??
I’m sorry that Norman’s moment in the spotlight was marred by that nonsense (and I’m also sorry that said incident leads his obit). How many recall that Carlos and Smith were banned by the IOC for life?
For whatever reason, one just doesn’t expect atheletes to die so young. God speed and RIP.
Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2006 10 03 at 10:59 AM • permalink
- Mark, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. Anything’s possible these days.
I suspect (I don’t know for sure because I wasn’t alive), that you’re right, they did hijack a moment that wasn’t only theirs, but maybe they were pushing for further changes, or recognition of the existing law.
It wouldn’t be the first time that law has taken over four years to be accepted by the public.
Could this have been one of those times?
- I’ve been to Mexico City and between the altitude and the pollution, it’s a wonder Mr Norman could walk up stairs, let alone set a track record that’s lasted over three decades. Well done, sir. RIP.
Mssrs Smith and Carlos said what needed to be said but in the wrong time and wrong place. It was immature and unsportsmanlike. Had they felt so strongly, they should’ve withdrawn from the team.
- they did hijack a moment that wasn’t only theirs, but maybe they were pushing for further changes, or recognition of the existing law.
It wouldn’t be the first time that law has taken over four years to be accepted by the public.
Four years? It took a generation. But nameless young black people sitting quietly at a whites-only lunch counter did far, far more for civil rights than those two did with their attention-grabbing stunt. All Smith and Carlos did was cause a lot of resentment and division at a time and place where American solidarity was rightly expected. They could have voiced their concerns at a press conference afterwards. They could have come home and campaign for civil rights, and used their fame as a lever. Instead they chose to show off. Not classy, and not mannerly.
- I will admit up front to my vast ignorance about history, however, I don’t think this issue is as black and white (pardon the pun) as it is being portrayed. The problem of course is that broadcasters could simply not carry the press conference (perhaps), but making a statement at a time like this that they knew would be photographed and broadcast, insures that people see it. I don’t know if it made a difference in the grand scheme of things, and I sit comfortably on the fence as to whether I think it’s right or not. I simply don’t know. But I don’t think it is so easy to say “Of course it is wrong” or “Bully for them”. Let’s say I think a more nuanced judgement is appropriate.Posted by Not My Problem on 2006 10 03 at 01:33 PM • permalink
We remember and respect Jackie Robinson not only because he was the first black man in major league baseball, but because he did it with class. He did more for civil rights than all the black power salutes and shouted slogans.
He also was a Republican.
Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2006 10 03 at 01:45 PM • permalink
- Least anyone forget, amid the continuing cries of how racist the U.S is as opposed to the “enlightened” ROW.
It was the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that demanded the US Olympic Committee ban Smith and Carlos from the Games, but to it’s credit it refused. The next day the IOC said if the sprinters were not banned, the entire US track and field team would be barred from further competition.
The USOC caved in.
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2006 10 03 at 01:53 PM • permalink
- It’s hard now to relate the mental atmosphere of those times and in particular that year. The clenched fist salute was the symbol of the Black Panthers formed just two years earlier and already involved in shootouts with the police. These guys were no Dr King. They called themselves a “party” but I don’t remember much about primaries selecting candidates to run for political office.
A lot of other stuff was going down in 1968 with much of it involving clenched fists and salutes. It was pretty scary for many people and not just in the US.
They were interesting times. Not unlike now.
- #26 Joe,
The USOC caved in 1936 to the Nazi regime in Berlin as well. Everyone fondly recalls Jesse Owens sticking a thumb in Hitler’s eye (so to speak) but it is less well known that Avery Brundage, an anti-semite himself and an asshole, dropped Jewish athletes from the US team to comply with German requests.
(Big surprise. The IOC, FIFA, the UN, Red Cross, etc, continue ignoring or tacitly endorsing anti-semitism today.)
#27 geoff
Don’t forget the Tianamenn Square-style clean up of Mexico City by it’s government just to get the ‘68 Games ready.
- I’m not sure if the ‘68 Olympics were before or after the huge black area riots in the USA that destroyed large suburban business areas, but this very public stunt, backing a violent gang movement, no doubt encouraged more self-defeating mob behaviour.
The true strength of the USA as a nation is found in the question in 2006:
‘Black Power? What was that?’
The USA reformed itself with, in total, very little violence, or persecution even of very marxist radical individuals.
- It’s easy to Google these two Black Power guys by name. In the aftermath of the Mexico dustup, both played pro athletics for awhile, and now are each track coaches at ‘high school’(AU term?) and college levels.
Recemtly a full size statue, based on the medal ceremony photos, was erected at San Jose State U. Norman went to the unveiling and was ok with not being included (some had recommended that, based on his Human rights badge wearing).
The originator of the black power slogan, fist salute, and movement, Stokely Carmichael, changed his name to Kwame Ture, joined the Communist Party and immigrated to the African country of Guinea, at the time run by the murderous Marxist dictator, Ahmed Seko Toure. Where he felt right at home, answering phone calls with, “Ready for the Revolution”. He died of protate cancer at age 57 (’Nov ‘98) Spending his last 2 years shuttling to NYC for treatment, which cancer he blaimed on “US Imperialism”, etc. Pardon the length here.
- We fought a 4 year war (600,000 casualties) and a hundred year “cold war” for civil rights, and as a result fashioned a prototype integrated a multi-racial society, which despite its imperfections, results in rising prosperity for all who wish to participate. It was a long hard bloody morally correct battle that deserved better than to have two of its beneficiaries trivialize it in the fashion they did on an international stage. Class appears to occur as a random event. Jackie Robinson had it in full measure. Smith and Carlos, not so much.Posted by Vanguard of the Commentariat on 2006 10 03 at 08:19 PM • permalink
- Way O/T but an interesting read, especially for non Americans.
US population 300 million this month
Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 10 03 at 08:58 PM • permalink
Tim, how did it feel interviewing Mr. Norman in light of his obvious sensitivity and ability to consider another person’s view?
Tell her, Tim! Ashley is obviously having trouble seeing things from other peoples’ viewpoints.
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 10 03 at 09:06 PM • permalink
- On the suggestion of Peter Norman apparently.
Norman often told the story of how it was he who suggested that with only one pair of black gloves available, the two sprinters should share them. It was why Smith had his right arm raised and Carlos his left.
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