Jesse Owens

From Philosopedia

Owens, Jesse (12 September 1913 - 31 March 1980)

James Cleveland Owens was born in a small town in Alabama to Henry and Emma Owens. When J.C. was eight, his parents decided to move the family to Cleveland, Ohio. They did not have much money, and J.C.'s father was hoping to find a better job. When they arrived in Cleveland, J.C. was enrolled in a public school. On his first day of class when the teacher asked his name, she heard Jesse instead of J.C. He was called Jesse from that point on.

Owens went to Ohio State University, forced to live off campus with other African American athletes. When he traveled with teams, he was separated and had to order carryout or eat at "black-only" restaurants, sleeping in "black-only" hotels. If allowed to stay at a "white" hotel, he had to use the back door and stairs instead of the elevator.

He is particularly remembered because at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, he astounded the world and upset Hitler’s “Aryan” theories by equaling the world mark (10.3 seconds) in the 100-meter race, by breaking world records in the 200-meter race (20.7 seconds) and in the broad jump (26 feet 5 3/8 inches / 8.07 meters), and by winning also (along with Ralph Metcalfe) the 400-meter relay race.

At the 1936 Olympics, the Japanese, American, and Nazi German winners salute differently.

In 1976, he was awarded the highest honor a civilian of the United States can receive, the Medal of Freedom, handed to him by President Gerald R. Ford.

He had married his longtime high school sweetheart, Ruth Solomon, in 1935. Together they had three daughters, Gloria, Beverly and Marlene. His widow Ruth and daughter Marlene in 2006 operate the Jesse Owens Foundation, striving to provide financial assistance and support to deserving young individuals that otherwise would not have the opportunity to pursue their goals.

Owens wrote Blackthink: My Life as Black Man and White Man.

A Universalist who had been a Baptist, he died in Tucson from complications due to cancer.