A man ahead of his time: Former Olympian John Carlos speaks on racial injustice

Former Olympian John Carlos speaks on racial injustice

FOX 11's Phil Shuman had the opportunity to interview former Olympian, John Carlos about the NBA boycott and other steps athletes are taking to protest racial injustice and excessive use of force by some police officers.

LOS ANGELES - “They’re heroes, every one of them! “

Strong words of praise for todays athletes from a man who 52 years ago blazed a path that so many young men and women are following today... protesting injustice.

I had the opportunity to interview former Olympian, John Carlos, 75, about the NBA boycott and other steps athletes are taking to protest racial injustice and excessive use of force by some police officers.

It was Carlos, then 23, who along with Tommie Smith, who silently raised a gloved fist in the iconic "Black Power’’ salute on the medal stand as the Star Spangled Banner played in Mexico City, October 1968.

Remember the context. This was during Vietnam, racial tension on the streets, months after Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated… brutally tough times in this country. After their actions, Smith and Carlos were sent home, criticized, ostracized, but never silenced.

Sport teams continue to boycott, fight racial injustice

Several athletes continue to speak out about the current status of racism in the country and boycotted games following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

They were so far ahead of their time. When I talked to him today via Zoom from his home in Georgia, the same passion and drive and commitment was evident in his voice… saying "the only thing that’s really changed is now they ( the athletes) have everyone’s attention’’… I hope it goes beyond basketball .’’

The challenge, then and now we agreed, is how to turn this into positive change.