Tommie Smith

Tommie Smith is the first person narrator and protagonist of the book. The book is a memoir of Smith’s time competing as a world class athlete while also fighting for equality and civil rights for Black people primarily in America. Smith grows up poor in a large family. His parents have very little opportunity, and as such, the family has a difficult time rising out of poverty. Smith’s siblings are his closest playmates because they do not live near other people. His family has a big effect on him, and this can be seen when, before his time on the Olympic podium, he thinks back to all of the members of his family individually.

Smith starts to grow in confidence when he races his sister and an older boy at school. He wins the race he is invited to by Mr. Focht. Mr Focht...