
By Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile
An Olympic protest sparks a lifelong fight against racial injustice.
In 1968, Olympic champion Tommie Smith raised a fist against racial injustice, igniting a storm of controversy. His memoir reveals a journey from rural Texas to global icon, facing threats and hardships. Discover the story behind a moment that changed history, as Smith reflects on his past and the enduring impact of his courageous stand.
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships.In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award-winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.
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