Jesse Owens: Black Role Models In Society
In the 20th century, AfricanAmericans had been struggling to get accepted in society since the Emancipation Proclamation deemed slavery illegal. Being unable to make a living through normal jobs due to workplace prejudices, many
AfricanAmericans turned to sports to play and inspire them. At the time, there were also very few black role models in society, causing athletes to become role models and be the voice of AfricanAmericans. There was no better athlete to fill this role than
Jesse Owens. Owens was able to cross social and philosophical boundaries as he rose from poverty to national fame after winning a record breaking four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The fact that he did this in a time where AfricanAmericans were considered inferior to whites in every way made his story more inspiring. Along …show more content…
In all these speeches, Owens had a presence that few other speakers had.
One reporter observed, “When he enters a room, he doesn’t so much take it over as envelop it; he is friendly to all, outgoing and gracious.” (Baker pg. 218) Owens was able to become an inspirational figure who travelled around and inspired many people, young and old, to work hard and be the best they can be.
Owens crossed many social and philosophical borders on his way to becoming the most important person in helping AfricanAmericans become integrated into society. Coming from a poor family, he was able to dismiss the stereotypes given to blacks and become an accepted member in society. He became the role model for young AfricanAmericans at a time when there were very few other AfricanAmericans who had overcome the odds and live a comfortable life that began in poverty. He grew to be just as influential and inspiring as other great black athletes like Jack Johnson,
Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali. As Owens put it himself, “I came along at a time when [black people] in America needed an image. I got more than my fair share
AfricanAmericans turned to sports to play and inspire them. At the time, there were also very few black role models in society, causing athletes to become role models and be the voice of AfricanAmericans. There was no better athlete to fill this role than
Jesse Owens. Owens was able to cross social and philosophical boundaries as he rose from poverty to national fame after winning a record breaking four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The fact that he did this in a time where AfricanAmericans were considered inferior to whites in every way made his story more inspiring. Along …show more content…
In all these speeches, Owens had a presence that few other speakers had.
One reporter observed, “When he enters a room, he doesn’t so much take it over as envelop it; he is friendly to all, outgoing and gracious.” (Baker pg. 218) Owens was able to become an inspirational figure who travelled around and inspired many people, young and old, to work hard and be the best they can be.
Owens crossed many social and philosophical borders on his way to becoming the most important person in helping AfricanAmericans become integrated into society. Coming from a poor family, he was able to dismiss the stereotypes given to blacks and become an accepted member in society. He became the role model for young AfricanAmericans at a time when there were very few other AfricanAmericans who had overcome the odds and live a comfortable life that began in poverty. He grew to be just as influential and inspiring as other great black athletes like Jack Johnson,
Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali. As Owens put it himself, “I came along at a time when [black people] in America needed an image. I got more than my fair share