Black Power Fist Analysis

Khalil Downey

Dr. Murdock

Intro to Philosophy

November 10, 2017

Mixtape Response

My partner in the mixtape video assignment was Kimlyn Teague. The artifact he chose was titled A Black Power Salute touching on the cultural importance and production of the black power fist, more specifically when used in the 1968 Olympics. The start of the Civil Rights Movement was around the same time, early 60s and Teague makes mention on how African American’s fought to abolish slavery and oppression in non-violent acts and peaceful protesting. However, with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. African Americans were, in a sense, so distraught that his death influenced the era of the Black Power Movement. Also, made mention were three primary misconceptions and representations from society concerning black people: Animalistic, the theory that black people were perceived as being sub-human and more like animals than humans. Voiceless, the theory that black people were represented as being so socially oppressed that they did not have a voice to speak up against their oppressors. And complacency, African Americans, as a people, had made some progress, and many represented them as being satisfied with the marginal progress made. These three common misconceptions helped fuel the black power movement into what it was.

Regarding the artifact itself I feel as though Teague did an excellent job on analyzing it. Being provided with back story information on the development of not only the black power fist but the entire movement itself provides great insight. Even more so the breakdown of the image with Tommie Smith and John Carlos was very informative, prior to this project I never knew the amount of symbolism in the image itself from the scarf that was worn, symbolizing black pride, to the open jacket representing and speaking for blue collar [black] workers back in the United States. Also, receiving the knowledge of the other contestant, Australian silver medalist Peter Norman, and how his contribution of the black gloves was his way of standing in solidarity with Smith, Carlos, and the Black Power Movement. He received a lot of back lash in returning to Australia and was shunned for such actions. These are just a few of the things I learned from Teague’s thorough analysis on the Black Power Salute. Other extremities such as the athletes not being received well after protesting, their Olympic medals being revoked, being banned from the U.S team, and receiving countless hate-mail and death threats, are more prime examples of hatred and racism during the Black Power Movement, providing that information added much needed emphasis on Teague’s project and why his artifact is appropriate for our course theme race and representation.

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