On October 17, 1968, Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos were stripped of their medals. They came to the awards ceremony barefoot, symbolizing the poverty of black Americans. Carlos wore black beads for those “who were lynched or killed.” During the Star Spangled Banner, both bowed their heads and lifted their hands in a “black power” salute. Reaction was negative. But on September 29, 2016, President Obama invited the two to the White House to recognize them for taking a stand.
