Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power» A Historical Athletics Exhibit curated by Urla Hill
1964-1969 Black Power
Black Power 1964-1969
“They will be known forever as two niggers who upset the 1968 Olympic Games. I’d rather have been known for that than as two niggers who win two medals.” – Willie Brown, former San Francisco Mayor and Assembly Speaker from James Richardson’s Willie Brown: A Biography Tommie Smith and John Carlos arrived at San José [...]
Fastest Sprinters in the World
SJSC’s team featured some of the fastest sprinters in the world, circa 1968. The black and white version of this photo appeared in Track & Field News and Newsweek. Jerry Williams’s son, Kenny Williams, of the Chicago White Sox, was the first Black general manager in Major League Baseball.
Tommie Smith & Wayne Herman
Tommie Smith and Wayne Herman following a race at Spartan Field, circa 1966.
Bud Winter & John Carlos 1969
Bud Winter stands alongside Olympian John Carlos during the Spartans’ NCAA championship season, circa 1969.
John Carlos & Tommie Smith
Many are familiar with the so-called “Black Power” protest staged by SJSC sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith on the Olympic dais in 1968. Their reaction to racism — bowed heads and raised gloved fists — in America and around the world sparked a controversy that continues to linger some 40 years later.
Flower Power
Did you know that the City of San Jose had its own version of Woodstock? It took place in April of 1969, and featured the Jefferson Airplane. John Powell, a SJS discus thrower and four-time Olympian, stands amongst the sleepy crowd at San Jose’s mini version of Woodstock, circa 1969.