This simple mural is found in West Oakland along Mandela Parkway. I imagine it is meant to be educational to the younger generations that were not around during the 1968 Olympics.
The Wiki article about this event taught me several things I didn't know, including that the silver medalist on the podium with Smith and Carlos supported their actions and ultimately lost an earned position on his country's 1972 Olympic team. I imagine even now this image has the power to generate a certain amount of controversy.
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It is definitely displaying a political message. I don't know how old your photo is but I think the wording might have changed. Have a look at this web page http://streetarttour.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/evolution-of-a-west-oakland-mural/.
ReplyDeleteThey left out the Aussie who was with them. But of trivia. He lent them his gloves. That's why they have raised a right fist and a left fist.
ReplyDeleteI remember this very well, nice painting.
ReplyDeleteGood to see a mural with a political attitude!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
Hello Oakland, I am back too :-)Bonne semaine to you and to your blogger friends.
ReplyDeleteThe comments add interesting insight to the mural and add to the words you provided. As a young child back then, I don't recollect much about this, so it was indeed educational.
ReplyDeleteWhat a time that was!
ReplyDeleteThe barbed wire seems to add an even greater dimension
ReplyDeleteInteresting story !
ReplyDeleteI remember this also ODP, I was quite young but some things obviously rattle around in there always :)
ReplyDeleteBorn with it? Heck no. I wish! I wasted a lot of time gettin' it. hahahaha
ReplyDeleteThose were turbulent and interesting times.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point of view.
ReplyDeleteThe net brings to mind the bars of a prison ...
fistful of steel....
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to take a shot of mural with the wire fence. We have a three block long of murals depicting different eras done by the students along the LA River close to where I live.
ReplyDelete