Winner of the Spring 2017 StMU History Media Awards for
Best Article in the Category of “People”
On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. Hitler quickly turned Germany’s fragile Weimar democracy into a one-party dictatorship. During his rule, Hitler pursued a plan to harass one half-million German Jews to leave Germany. Hitler promoted a “master race” scheme that sought to keep the so-called Aryan race pure from racial contamination from all other races he deemed to be inferior. This Aryan race consisted of only Germanic peoples who had the characteristics of blond hair, blue eyes, and light colored skin. Three years after taking power, Hitler hosted the 1936 Olympics in the German capital of Berlin. This was his opportunity to put his “New Germany” on display for all the world to see.
As Hitler’s Nazi government prepared for these Olympics, athletes from the United States were also preparing themselves for the coming competition in Berlin. In the United States, African Americans were dealing with their own problems of racism. Not only was life hard as an African American in the 1930s, but life was even harder as an African American athlete. One African American, who would later become one of the most famous athletes in the history of Track and Field, was James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens. At the age of eight, he had moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his family, who had sought for better work and educational opportunities. “On his first day of school, he introduced himself as ‘J. C.,’ but his teacher misunderstood him to say “Jesse.” The young Owens bashfully accepted the mistake, thus taking on the name by which he would become famous.”1 Jesse Owens would grow up loving to run. He was the fastest runner in his school and loved competing against others. His dream was to attend the University of Michigan, but there were no scholarships offered in those days and his parents could not afford tuition. Instead, he attended Ohio State University, where he worked for the boosters to pay for his expenses.
In the Summer of 1936, at the Olympic trials, Jesse finished first in all three of the events that he competed in. He had trained hard in the preceding months, and the hard training paid off, allowing Owens to attend the Olympics of 1936, known as “The Nazi Games” or as “Hitler’s Games.” In actuality, these Olympic games were not originally intended to be games hosted by the Nazis: the “Nazis were never invited to host the Games—and probably never would have applied to do so. Instead, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had awarded the Olympics to Germany’s Weimar Republic in 1931 before the Nazi takeover as a way of welcoming Germany back to sports respectability.”2
Ironically, Adolf Hitler knew nothing about sports and expressed little interest in hosting the Olympics; instead he wished to host an all-German athletic celebration. “But Dr. Josef Goebbels, the influential minister of propaganda, glimpsed how Germany might score a tremendous public-relations coup and convinced Hitler to support both the Winter and Summer Games.”3 Influenced by Dr. Josef Goebbels, Hitler used these Olympic games as a political relation with other countries.
Several weeks after the Olympic trials, Jesse Owens competed in the Berlin Olympics and made a name for himself. He won four gold medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relays, and in the long jump. Jesse Owens had set records and represented America in a humble and most respectable way, considering the circumstances. Even though many have claimed that Adolf Hitler refused to congratulate Jesse Owens, others go further by claiming that Hitler actually “snubbed” Owens:
By the end of that fabulous week in Berlin, an attractive yarn attached itself to the name of Jesse Owens. Supposedly, he was ‘snubbed’ by Adolf Hitler, who reportedly refused to congratulate him publicly after his victories. Actually, the story was concocted by American sportswriters, who were all too willing to read the worst of motives into Hitler’s behavior and to assume innocent excellence from America’s newest hero. Although it had no basis in fact, the story of ‘Hitler’s snub’ was repeated so often that people took it as truth. It remains one of the great anecdotes of American popular culture.4
Racism was as alive in the United States as it was overseas in Germany in the 1930s. German Jews were a persecuted minority in the 1930s, and African Americans were experiencing similar treatments of racism in 1930s America. “World reaction to Hitler’s program resulted in a movement to boycott Nazi goods and services, which included a movement to take away the 1936 Olympics from Berlin in an attempt to force the German government to cease its discriminatory practice against the Jews.”5 It was not until the United States entered World War II that sentiment against racism began to penetrate the American social consciousness. Even though Owens continued to face white racism in his own country subsequent to his Olympic victories, he later reflected on his experiences of racism: “What I’ve done is no more than countless other Negros (and Jews, Poles, Greeks and just Americans in general) have done…. I’ve been a Negro in America for fifty-seven years, and I want to tell you that [being black in America] can be pure hell at times and can shake anyone’s sureness. Often it’s worse if you were the world’s fastest human.”6 When Owens returned to the United States after the Olympics, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt refused to acknowledge his accomplishments or even invite him into the White House. It was not until 1979 that President Jimmy Carter presented Jesse Owens with the Living Legend Award. Forty-three years after his Olympic victories, Jesse Owens had finally been properly recognized for his great achievements.
Despite all the controversy that Jesse Owens encountered while doing what he loved, he is a true representation of perseverance and determination. Jesse Owens passed away in March of 1980 from lung cancer.
- Salem Press Biography Encyclopedia, January 2017, s.v. “Jesse Owens,” by William J. Baker. ↵
- John Rodden and John P. Rossi, “Berlin Stories,” Commonweal 143, no. 13 (August 12, 2016): 25. ↵
- John Rodden and John P. Rossi, “Berlin Stories,” Commonweal 143, no. 13 (August 12, 2016): 26. ↵
- Salem Press Biography Encyclopedia, January 2017, s.v. “Jesse Owens,” by William J. Baker. ↵
- D. A. Kass, “The Issue of Racism at the 1936 Olympics,” Journal of Sports History, no. 3 (1976): 223. ↵
- Joseph Boskin, “Jesse Owens: Running in the American Dilemma,” Review in American History, no. 3 (1987): 457. ↵
161 comments
Daniel Linstead
First impression from the title I was like Jesse who? But after reading this article Jesse Owens story is truely inspirational. Owens achievements weren’t recognized by the country that he participated in but wasn’t even by his own country. It is sad to even hear that something like this would happen. To have to do what Owens achieved on it’s own is an accomplishment but to do it with the adversity he had to overcome is next level. True respect for Owen’s.
William Rittenhouse
Jesse Owens seemed like a man of character and virtues. He excelled it times of trial and competition, which would later set him up in life. I think this story represents American pride and truly a story of overcoming all odds with discrimination and racism in the way. I’m sure he was also very influential in bringing about an end to racism. I hope Americans can learn from this inspiring story and use it to help them overcome struggles that may seem impossible at times.
Julia Deais
I didn’t know about Jesse Owens prior to reading this article. I found it interesting that he went by Jesse even though that wasn’t his name. I think it is kinda strange how he left it as Jesse and never corrected them or changed it once he was older. Jesse Owens was a true athlete he didn’t compete for fame; he did it because he loved to run. The one thing I just cant believe is how everyone refused to give him recognition for his acts in representing the country the way that he did. He did an outstanding job in representing america even though america did not represent him or his family well.
William Ward
When discussing the times surrounding the Second World War, the Olympics are more often than not left out. I personally had never read about Jesse Owens in the past but it is a truly inspiring story of overcoming adversity and racism. “He is a true representation of perseverance and determination” was a perfect way to end this wonderfully written article.
Luke Lopez
I did not know much about Jesse Owens prior to reading this article, but I now know that he was a man that overcame all odds to receive gold medals in the Olympic games in Germany. Jesse Owens was able to work hard, go to college, and earned four gold medals in the Olympics while representing the United States. I also did not know that Germany was selected to host the Olympics before Hitler became the dictator of Nazi Germany.
Janelle Larios
Jesse Owens faced a lot not only as a minority in the U.S but as a minority in the Olympics. Owens truly was the definition of prevalence, he was the symbol of strength and achievement in the face of imperialistic Germany and racial bigotry across not only the U.S, but the world. I am happy that Owens received the recognition that he deserved during the Olympic games, but saddened and disappointed that he was thrown aside like trash upon returning to the United States, although it comes to no surprise because the United States is know for its white supremacy ideals and its harsh racial discrimination against minorities, especially African Americans during the 1900’s.
Rebecca Campos
Like Hitler not knowing much about sports, I didn’t know much about the Olympics being in Germany or anything about Jesse Owens. This is such a fascinating article and I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn more about this incredible person. The author did a brilliant job picking an influential figure and showing others what hard work and dedication truly looks like. It was so shocking to learn that President Franklin Roosevelt did not give him the recognition he deserved. Thankfully, President Carter allowed him the opportunity to be recognized and have his efforts acknowledged.
Tyler Boyd
I could not agree with you more when you wrote, “he is a true representation of perseverance and determination.” Jesse was truly an incredible human being and American. Whenever I feel put down or discriminated against I have to remember stories like this and try to emulate the courage and perseverance that people like Jesse had. Tragic to think that it took 43 years for his own country to acknowledge the incredible talent and hard work of his and I think that should not be overlooked. You wrote that Jesse did not attend the University of Michigan due to the racist scholarship practices at the University of Michigan. Did you know that future President Gerald Ford played football at the University of Michigan with a black teammate Willis Ward in 1934? Then future President Gerald Ford initially refused to play against Georgia Tech because they would not play if Willis was going to be on the field. Ford only played after Willis personally pleaded with him to play in the game. Another fun fact, Willis had actually bested Jesse in the 100 yard dash in college.
Valeria Perez
Jesse Owen’s story is inspiring. Not only did he overcome prejudice from foreign countries, but from his own home country as well. It is disheartening that it took forty-three years for him to be recognized but it truly shows how we have made progress (as small as it may seem) when it comes to racism. I am also impressed by how he strived to get a college education despite the many obstacles at the time. A truly accomplished man.
Constancia Tijerina
I have never heard of Jesse Owens before this article, however this article helps bring up to the legacy of how much of a hero Jesse Owens was. He went through the racism and the backlash against his race, yet he still pushed through and found the fight in him to continue what he loved; the Olympic games. What I find most disappointing is although Hitler did not recognize Owens achievements, I did not expect America to do the same thing as well.