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Take Note: 1968 Olympians On The Legacy Of Their Protests

Tommie Smith, Wyomia Tyus and Dr. Harry Edwards.
WPSU

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 1968 file photo, extending gloved hands skyward in a Black power salute as a form of racial protest, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and John Carlos stare downward during the playing of national anthem.
Credit AP
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AP
FILE - In this Oct. 16, 1968 file photo, extending gloved hands skyward in a Black power salute as a form of racial protest, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and John Carlos stare downward during the playing of national anthem after Smith received the gold and Carlos the bronze for the 200 meter run at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City.

At the 1968 Olympics, gold medalist Tommie Smith took the podium and raised his fist in what became one of the most iconic sports moments of all time. Wyomia Tyus dedicated her '68 gold medal to Smith. Sociologist Harry Edwards helped organize the protests.

WPSU's Lindsey Whissel Fenton talked with Smith, Tyus, and Dr. Edwards about the lasting impact of the 1968 Olympic games.

Lindsey Whissel Fenton, MEd, (she/her) is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, international speaker, and grief educator. In her current role as a senior producer and director at PBS/NPR affiliate WPSU, Lindsey focuses on projects related to grief, trauma, and mental health. She is the creator of Speaking Grief and its sister-initiative, Learning Grief and serves on the board of directors for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG). A sought-after speaker on grief literacy and educational outreach strategy, Lindsey delivered a keynote at the 44th Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) Conference and has presented to a variety of organizations, including NACG, American Public Television (APT), Johnson & Johnson, the PBS Annual Meeting, and Comic-Con San Diego, among others. Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Digital Arts from Point Park University and her master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Penn State. She is a dog-mom, an avid reader, and rock climber.
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