WHEN GOLD TURNS BLACK at Theater For The New City

Tommie Smith and John Carlos are heralded world class sprinters bound for Olympic glory when their controversial college professor challenges them to speak out against racism on campus. They would become emboldened at the idea that they could effect change by boycotting the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico, so much that they would agree to do so. The idea of a boycott became a rallying cry for black athletes around the country. The boycott would eventually be called off after their champion and staunch supporter Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is assassinated. Dr. King’s death sent shock waves of hopelessness and defeat throughout the movement. Determined to bring about world attention to the plight of black America, they each must first accomplish their initial goal of winning an Olympic medal to make the podium. Tommie, John, and along with Peter Norman would make a spontaneous and profound gesture on the world’s largest stage to protest racism, and injustice. Together their silent protest would create one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century, inspiring generations and athletes of goodwill around the world years later.