Tahmid and Yohance

Jesse Owens: The Great "Non-Aryan" Athlete

It was the summer of 1936 and Nazism was running rampant through out Eastern Europe.  The Olympics were headed to Berlin, Germany and Hitler saw this as a golden opportunity to show why Aryans were the superior race, and why Germany was Eutopia.  He was proved wrong. Jesse Owens was a young African American who pursued his dreams, with many alterations, and objects in the way. He did not care about Hitler’s political strategies, he wanted to win. He broke three world records and achieved 4 gold medals during the course of the Olympics, and was said to be the "..Greatest victory in history" (Zusak, 57).Hitler became outraged. He cursed the Americans and called the African American race “not human.” Jesse obtained his first gold medal in the 100 meter dash with the record breaking time of 10.3 seconds; his second medal came from long jump where he jumped an astonishing fleet. A German athlete gave him tips, and it worked, and it proved to success. He got his third medal at the 200m dash. The fourth gold medal came from a last minute decision to substitute Jesse, instead of the runner supposed to run, While German officials denounced Owens, many Germans cheered for him. He was an idol amongst, the Germans even though his characteristics didn’t fit the standards of “Aryan”. Many children around the world were "just being Jesse Owens" (Zusask, 58) After all the fame and glory Jesse had in Germany, the Germans paid ought and named a street in his honour.  Jesse Owens suffered from many medical complications that detered him throught his adolescent life. Even though he faced these road blocks he persued his ambitions and strived to become one of the top atheltes in the world. When Jesse arrived back at his praise and worship lasted mearly one week, and he was dragged into the degradation of segregation and was an outcast amoung the atheltes.

"When I came back to my native country, after all the stories about Hitler, I still couldn't ride in the front of the bus."Interesting facts:

• Owens, who smoked up to a pack of cigarettes a day for a good deal of his life, died of lung cancer in Tucson, Arizona on March 31, 1980.
• He raced against cars and horses to gain money for the time he was active.
• Owens set 3 world records
• He made many records starting from his high school career.

Bibliography:

"Jesse Owens." biography.com. A&E Television Networks, 1996. Web. 30 Apr 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/jesse-owens-9431142

Borden, Timothy. "Owens, Jesse." Notable Sports Figures. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 Apr. 2012<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Hitler a Tolerant Man?

The 1936 olympics were coming to Berlin Germany and Hitler knew he could take advantage of this event and show the world why Aryans are the superior race. He was proved wrong. Even though Jesse Owens proved Hitler politically incorrect, much of this story is a great myth. As said by William J. Baker, Jesse Owens Biographer, “the newspaper made the whole thing up.” Hitler did not congratulate Jesse Owens and he also did not congratulate any other athletes, even the German victors. He was given orders from the Olympic committee. There were also many myths that Hitler snubbed Owens but it is also false. It was actually Cornelius Johnson where the podium was to be decorated and Hitler left the stadium and it was pre-scheduled, but no one believed that. There were many more mis-conceptions. Many people adored Jesse Owens when he was about to receive his gold medal. As described in the article, “the crowd gave him several ear-shattering ovations.” Many people have misunderstood the out-come of the whole Olympics. Even though Jesse Owens only received four gold medals, the Gemans’ Aryan race won a large handful of medals. Hitler was obviously pleased with the outcome. 

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