Commemorating the Stand

Two weeks ago, San Jose State University unveiled the twenty-foot-tall bronze sculpture honoring Tommie Smith and John Carlos. The two SJSU alumni were the athletes who made a silent statement about the rights of African-Americans during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics. They were both in attendance for the unveiling, as was Peter Norman, the silver medallist from Australia, who also participated in the protest on the podium.

The first time I saw the statue, I was captivated by it. The figures were larger than life, but so lifelike. I think it had such a powerful effect on me because it captured a powerful and familiar moment in civil rights history, a topic that is at the forefront of public attention with the passing of Rosa Parks last week.

It's difficult to explain, but when I look at the sculpture, the two figures seem to symbolize the African-American experience. When I look at Carlos, the bronze medallist, I see sorrow, struggle and the past. A step above him is Smith, the gold medallist. When I look at him, I see pride, strength and the future. A shared pair of gloves connects the two. Smith wears one on his right hand (representing black power) while Carlos wears the other on his left hand (representing unity).

My only quibble with the statue is the missing third man. According to Mark Purdy's article, the artist intentionally left Norman's spot empty so "people could climb up and pose for pictures and be encouraged to take a stand". I can appreciate the artist's desire to make his art interactive, but it still seems disrespectful to revise history and erase a man from the moment.

Despite that, this sculpture ranks as one my favorite pieces of public art on display in downtown San Jose. I especially like the ceramic tiles used for their uniforms. If you want to see the new statue for yourself, you can find it on the lawn (now known as the Sculpture Garden) bordered by Clark Hall and Tower Hall, in the northwest section of campus.