Breaking Barriers: Tommie Smith and John Carlos

A moment remembered as one of the most overtly political and powerful statements happened on an Olympic stage in Mexico City.

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Similar to the reaction to Hugh Thompson Jr, who advised his superiors of the ongoing massacre at My Lai and personally airlifted Vietnamese civilians out of the area to ensure their safety, then later testified against those responsible. He was scapegoated by the military and politicians and by the US public, receiving widespread abuse, including death threats.

These men were all on the right side of history, but suffered for their decency and humanity.