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Jesse Owens Research Paper

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Even though minority athletes of the early twentieth century set the stage for others to follow, society was still reluctant to accept the great amount of talent placed before it. For athletes like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Margaret Lambert, and Mildred "Babe" Didrikson-Zaharius, both the journey to stardom and the time in the limelight were not as wonderful as they seemed. Relations between races, religions, and even the genders were barely progressing throughout this time, which created a realm of hostility around each of these athletes. At this point in time, schools and other public places were still fully segregated and women were expected to remain inferior to men. Although they had some following from other minorities and the few …show more content…

Because he is well-known as being one of the first African Americans in the Games, many people believe that he had a luxurious life filled with fame and money. However, the documentary "More Than Gold" reveals that this was not the case. Amidst the "Black Power" time of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Owens exclaimed that "The black fist is a meaningless symbol. When you open it, you have nothing but fingers - weak, empty fingers" ("Quotes by Jesse Owens"). Owens, who just wanted to participate in Track and Field alongside other spectacular athletes, reinstated the important principle that "individual excellence, rather than race or national origin, distinguishes one man from another" ("About Jesse Owens"). Although he did not have the lucrative career that he deserved (like many other minority athletes of the time), Owens refused to let his message go to waste. He often spoke with younger generations, trying to iterate to them that underprivileged youth should still have the opportunity to make it "big" if they have the talent to. For this, he was considered a "champion on the playground of the poorest neighborhoods" as much as he was a champion of the Olympic Games ("About Jesse Owens"). Even through a life of financial hardships, Owens inspired many African American athletes to achieve their utmost

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