The Story Behind The White Guy In This Historic Photo

In 1968 there was a powerful moment of protest at the Olympic games when two winners put on black gloves to protest what was happening in the country during the civil rights era. Most people don’t know the story of the silver medalist, Peter Norman.

Cenk Uygur, host of the The Young Turks, breaks it down. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

“In an act as appropriate as it is overdue, the Australian House of Parliament is issuing an official state apology Monday to the country’s late, great sprinter Peter Norman. Norman won the 200-meter silver medal at the 1968 Olympics, but that’s not why he’s either remembered or owed apologies. After the race, gold and bronze medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos bowed their heads and raised their fists on the medal stand and started an international firestorm. Many see the iconic image and assume Norman was just a bystander to history, or as he would joke, “the white guy.” But he was standing in full solidarity with Smith and Carlos, wearing a patch on his chest that reads, “Olympic Project for Human Rights.”

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[TheEpere]

Currently attending SJSU, from what we have heard, Norman was asked by the statue makers if he wanted to be included, He declined and instead suggested that his place be left open for students and others to have the opportunity to stand alongside those incredible athletes.

[rosemimi]

Peter Norman won more than a stupid medal. He got two friends for life. That’s worth so much more.

[Movierebel]

To clarify, I believe they were going to put him on the statue and he said no. He said leave it empty, so that anyone who wanted to take his spot beside them and stand up for Civil Rights would have a place. His spot, he said, was for everyone...

[zeitgeist]

The reason why Peter Norman asked not to put his statue up, was because he wanted to leave his spot on the podium for anyone to stand in solidarity for racial inequality. Rip you legend.

[LargeGSX]

As an Australian, thank you for covering this. Peter Norman was a hero and I never thought Americans would know of his role in this moment in history.

[rickardlagrelius]

When i saw Carlos and Smith carry Normans coffin, i was in tears.

[stevemurrell]

I'm an Australian and what you say is was yet another shameful episode in Australia's history. Norman is now belatedly seen as a hero in died awhile back and Carlos and Smith attended his funeral in Australia. A great man who did not deserve the treatment he received. He deserves a statue!

[TheAtims]

Peter Norman actually asked to be left off the statue so that anyone could take his place and be an ally. John Carlos shares this.

[kathleenlock]

When the statue's were being made of the three of them, Peter Norman said, let my spot stand empty so that when people take a picture, they can stand in my spot and take a stand for equality. People with the character of Peter Norman are hard to come by.

[andyburge]

The great thing about Peter Norman was is understated morality - he knew he was not black and therefore could not pretend to put himself in the place of American or Australian people of colour - what he could do is give them every support in that quiet way he had - and that's what he did as a human being of integrity and honesty

[missG]

Those men never ever forgot what Peter Norman did that day, they went to his funeral. Travelled a long way to it and carried his coffin. Absolutely unbelievable attitude from the Australian. The forgotten hero.

[rodhmu]

I am an Australian, and I knew that Peter Norman got the Silver medal, but i had no idea of the rest of this story. Watching this video makes me both proud, and ashamed. Ashamed that I knew nothing of this hero, ashamed of our 'white Australia policy' which persisted until 1972. Ashamed that our indigenous people were only recognised as Australians in 1967. Before then, they were counted as part of the flora and fauna and not as people. Even today, we are making unacceptable progress, and by the way, we have our own problem of Aboriginal deaths in Police custody which has been going on for decades. But hearing the Peter Norman story also makes me proud. This bloke represents the Australia that I belong to, the Australia that I love. Where you do right, because it is right. Thanks, Peter Norman, thanks.

[jshle]

Norman actually wanted the statue at San Jose State like that. When John Carlos saw it he was pissed and they told him that’s what Norman wanted and he didn’t believe it. He went to the office of the President of the University and demanded they get Norman on the phone, and Norman explained that he wanted that pedestal to be empty so anyone visiting could stand where he stood, in solidarity with Carlos and Smith.

[kateemma]

Don’t know why this is being referred again but Peter Norman was ahead of his time and he’s someone we in Australia should be more proud of. He never did this for fame, he did this because he grew up in a divided Australia, and wanted to see better. Peter Norman is a legend and always will be.

[dwaynejoyce]

As an Aussie I'm extremely proud of the actions Peter Norman took during those Olympics and his rightful beliefs he took to his grave. I'm also grateful and proud of those two Americans who took the time to come to my country and pay their respects. Three great men is what I see about that moment in time.

[ym]

As a black man in the U S now just hearing this I sit in tears with a full heart, and a new hero.

[thomasbauer]

It was the wish of Norman to not be part of the statue in front of the San Jose University so that other people can stand there as well in solidarity with Smith and Carlos and in support of the OPHR cause. Great guys, all three of them!

[tavansmith]

I didn't know about Peter Norman, and his story of support for Tommie and John. What a disgrace from the Australian government to treat their hero like shit because he stood up for civil rights.

[AriCagan]

Peter Norman isn’t on that statue because he wanted others to be able to stand like he did

[postoffice]

I heard about this story. Brilliant. He's the one who gave the gloves to Tommie and Carlos. And backed them until his death, even though his home country Australia turned its back on him. And to add, his time is still an Australian record, 52 years on!!! He could've been the greatest track and field athlete Australia ever produced. The way I look at it, he's a brother in our fight against racism and injustices. *Rest In Power, * Norman. ✊