An Afro-American Accomplishes What Armies Could Not
The Crowds that day were overwhelming. It was the Olympic Games of 1936 and
the World attended the Berlin Games that threatened to be the last peaceful competition
for a while.
Adolf Hitler, then Chancellor and President of Germany was at the doorstep
of creating his new Reich; and he sat in the stands surrounded by his German
entourage. He had come to watch and support his Aryan Athletes.Athletics was more than sports to the New Germany. Among the many new concepts Hitler was bringing to the "Fatherland" was an strong emphasis on physical fitness and prowess, physical beauty, fertility and accomplishment. Germany's Olympic athletes were as well prepared and funded as any group of contenders could be. Hitler intended for his "superior" Athletes to walk away with most if not all of the Gold and Silver Medals. His vision was cut short that day, by a young man from an humble, American background.
Jesse Owen was born in Alabama, and attended Ohio State University where he excelled and won awards in track. Much of his life was spent in preparation of the day in 1936 in Berlin, when he took his place as an Olympic Athlete among his fellow Americans.
Jesse Owen did not only excel during those Berlin competitions. He won four Gold Medals: he tied one World record, broke two others and was part of a team which broke another. A young black male, a race disdained by Hitler (as were many) out-shone his brilliant Aryan athletes that day.
Hitler was so incensed that this young man whom he deemed "inferior" so soundly defeated his athletes and those of the rest of the world that he refused to award Mr. Owen the 4 Gold Medals he so richly deserved. The controversy spread World wide: it was the Third Reich that was put to shame that day, not Mr. Owens or America. Owens was awarded the Gold Medals and Hitler and his attendants walked out of the stadium in protest.
These two men stood at a juxtaposition in History on that bright day in 1936. Berlin was
undergoing massive changes: war was in the air and was imminent; Hitler had recently
purged the Universities, Arts, and Government of Jewish citizens. He had gained almost total
dictatorial power over Germany and he had plans for the world. Jesse Owens was a humble
young person with a college background and ardent determination.
He did that day what armies could not do: put Hitler to shame for his abominable racial policies and intolerance.
These two men: one in power and head of state, and one on foot vying to win a race and medal met head to head: determination,
loyalty and the truth won that day in one man; intolerance and bigotry failed, also in one very powerful man.
The Lesson of Jesse Owens are profound: one person doing the right thing, succeeding on ability and honor rather than deceit and hatred, can prove to be a David over a National Goliath. The Armies of the West would in 5 years fight the bloodiest battle the world has ever known to bring down a dictator whose aim was genocide and mass destruction. In one hour, one young black American Man, accomplished the same.
OUTSIDE LINKS
REFERENCES
1Photo Credits: Microsoft Encarta
Encyclopedia; 1997, "Jesse Owens"
2Author; The Jesse Owens Story