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Jesse Owens Research Paper

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The Great Jesse Owens
Do you ever wonder what the olympics were like back in the 1930s? Are you asking yourself, “who are some of the greatest olympians of all time?” To further discuss the question, you must read about the track and field star, Jesse Owens.
One of the greatest olympians of all time was born in 1913. He was born at a very rough time period in the United States. For example, “James Cleveland Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama on September 12, 1913” (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 1). This shows that Owens was born in Alabama, which was a very racial place. Owens was also born into the family of a sharecropper, so he did not have a lot of money. In addition, Jesse Owens was a very sick child growing up, “At age 5, a cyst …show more content…

Many African americans were strengthened by his performance, “his series of victories scored a moral victory for black athletes” (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 1). Jesse Owens’s perseverance through the games inspired many black athletes to compete more and more in their life. Jesse’s series of victories also weakened Hitler’s belief in Aryan supremacy, for example, “At the 1936 Berlin Olympics his [Jesse Owens’s] gold medals demolished Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy.” (Edelson 1). This shows that Jesse also had a lasting impression on Hitler and his beliefs. Owen’s was a role model to American’s. Infact, William J. Baker said in his book, “Heroes embody a society's faith, hope, and dreams. At Berlin Jesse Owens became an American hero, for he helped Americans to believe something important about themselves” (Baker …show more content…

Jesse Owens was involved in other sports later in his life that were not so competitive, “Among Jesse’s happiest times were the six months he spent with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1948 and 1949” (Israel 30). This shows that Jesse made people have joy. He also had fun while doing it. Jesse really had a heart for children, “In 1956 he [Jesse] organized the Junior Olympic Games for Youngsters in Chicago between the ages of 12 and 17” (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 2). This shows that Jesse really wanted to give kids a chance to experience what he felt. He still wanted to help people all around the world, “He was appointed secretary of the Illinois Athletic Commission (1952-1955), and was sent on a global goodwill tour as ambassador for the United States” (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 2). This shows that Jesse Owens continued to influence people all around the

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