Olympic Statue
Bright afternoon light shatters across navy blue tiles of two larger-than-life African American statues like scales on a fish under shallow water.
The men in stone stand across Clark Hall at SJSU as former SJSU student- athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos who protested during “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1968 Olympic Games.
Their towering figures that distort, and then redistribute light symbolize the resurrection of justice, dignity, equality, and peace within the community.
The athletes stand barefoot in black crew socks on rusty grey, off- white cement blocks labeled No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 that resemble an Olympic platform.
Smith, who stands on the No. 1 block, is closing his eyes as he holds a firm fist in the air, popping his veins as his left hand holds a wooden frame with a painted green leaf.
The No. 307 is tiled onto the back of his jersey as a large bronze medal with green straps sits across his neck.
Carlos stands in a similar form, except his left fist is high in the air and his right hand is behind his back forming a thumbs- up.
He stares down at the onlooker with captivating wonder and passion as his portraiture rests against clear blue skies.
Though there are a total of four feet, only one pair of large running shoes are mounted in stone alongside the athletes.
The missing pairs of shoes echo the poverty many African Americans have faced throughout history due to racism and slavery.
The enormous statue ultimately solutes to a critical human rights issue, encouraging others in the present and future to stand forth with them in pursuit of a more equal society.
The men in stone stand across Clark Hall at SJSU as former SJSU student- athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos who protested during “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1968 Olympic Games.
Their towering figures that distort, and then redistribute light symbolize the resurrection of justice, dignity, equality, and peace within the community.
The athletes stand barefoot in black crew socks on rusty grey, off- white cement blocks labeled No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 that resemble an Olympic platform.
Smith, who stands on the No. 1 block, is closing his eyes as he holds a firm fist in the air, popping his veins as his left hand holds a wooden frame with a painted green leaf.
The No. 307 is tiled onto the back of his jersey as a large bronze medal with green straps sits across his neck.
Carlos stands in a similar form, except his left fist is high in the air and his right hand is behind his back forming a thumbs- up.
He stares down at the onlooker with captivating wonder and passion as his portraiture rests against clear blue skies.
Though there are a total of four feet, only one pair of large running shoes are mounted in stone alongside the athletes.
The missing pairs of shoes echo the poverty many African Americans have faced throughout history due to racism and slavery.
The enormous statue ultimately solutes to a critical human rights issue, encouraging others in the present and future to stand forth with them in pursuit of a more equal society.
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