by Tommie Smith
First published 2007
Tommie Smith opens his autobiography with the moment that changed everything. Standing on the Olympic podium in 1968 after winning gold in the 200 meter dash, he and teammate John Carlos raised their fists in protest. That gesture lasted seconds but echoed for decades. Smith reveals what led to that decision and what followed. He traces his path from athlete to activist, showing his dedication to sports, education, and human rights throughout his life. Smith corrects the record about his protest, explaining that he belonged to the US Olympic Project for Human Rights, not the Black Panthers as many believed. He describes the careful planning behind the demonstration and the personal costs he faced afterward. The book follows Smith through his post-Olympic years as he continued fighting for human rights while working in athletics and education. Smith shows how his actions consistently reflected his principles, offering readers an inside view of both a historic sports moment and the man who created it.
Genres: autobiography, biography-memoir, activism, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: activism, social-justice
Setting: United States
Period: 1968
288 pages · Hardcover · Temple University Press