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Haymarket Books and Young Chicago Authors are Proud to Present

THE JOHN CARLOS STORY

The Sports Moment That Changed the World

An Evening with Olympic and Civil Rights Icon John Carlos,

who raised his fist in the Black Power salute on the 1968 Mexico City Olympic medal podium

"One of the grand figures of the 20th century." Dr. Cornel West

The opening program of the 12th annual Louder Than a Bomb: Chicago Youth Poetry Festival and part of Young Chicago Author's new event series "The Get Down Sessions: Conversations on the Cutting-edge of Arts and Ideas"

Featuring

Louder Than a Bomb performances inspired by the '68 Black Power salute

Q and A with John Carlos

Book signing

Wednesday, February 22nd, 7:00 pm

Columbia College Chicago

Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash

FREE

"The John Carlos Story is a blow by blow detail of triumph vs tragedy from the jump... illuminating the mere footnotes of this sports history hero."

--Chuck D, Public Enemy

SEEN AROUND THE WORLD, John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s Black Power salute on the 1968 Olympic podium sparked controversy and career fallout. Yet their show of defiance remains one of the most iconic images of Olympic history and the Black Power movement. In a special appearance, Carlos will speak on the intersection of sports, culture, and resistance, discussing the story behind the iconic moment, the role of young people in struggle, and cultural resistance today.

JOHN CARLOS

After being vilified for years, Carlos has recently been awarded the ESPY's Arthur Ashe Courage Award and is currently an NAACP Image Award Nominee. A former track and field athlete and professional football player, Carlos was also a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. He won the bronze-medal in the 200 meters race at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. He went on to equal the world record in the 100 yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record. After his track career, he enjoyed brief stints in the National Football League and Canadian Football League but retired due to injury. He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. He later became a track coach at a high school in Palm Springs, where he now resides. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003.**

PRAISE for The John Carlos Story

"History tells us iconic moments in sport are always enveloped in personal stories of sacrifice, courage, and angst. The lasting images that we see occur in a flash contain enriching back stories that are typically even more significant and tragic than the moment itself. The moment that two men stood on the world platform to take a stand after they had become the best in the world is rich, complicated but most importantly as relevant today as it was in Mexico City."

--DeMaurice Smith, Director NFL Players Assiciation

"John Carlos is an American hero. And finally he has written a memoir to tell us his story—and a powerful story it is. I couldn't put this book down."

--Michael Moore

"Biblically, athletes with superior attributes were seen as gifts from God. Whether it was Samson staring down the Philistines or David slaying Goliath, they and latter-day heroes such as Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali, selflessly used their gifts and magnificently magnified platforms to transform society. It is in that tradition that John Carlos, and his teammate Tommie Smith, raised their fists in solidarity with the American civil rights struggle, as well as the struggles of those who exist on the downside of advantage. It was a statement for the ages. This act of righteous defiance lifted us all to a new level of dignity and shared responsibility to improve the conditions of the poor the world over...But the price of heroism is high. John Carlos paid and this is his story."

--Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

"The John Carlos story is the remarkable chronicle of an epic life sketched against the defining crisis of race in America. Carlos' athletic genius on the field is matched by his heroic will to overcome trials and tribulations in his personal life, and to find resurrection in his professional life. This is an inspiring and eloquent story about a great American whose commitment to truth, justice and democracy were tested and found true."

--Michael Eric Dyson

"John Carlos' life story is an insightful and gripping look at the times he lived and the Olympics he helped make so memorable. He shows us that the one day that made him famous was only the most outward and visible sign of a touching and thoughtful life."

--Frank Deford

"In this breathlessly readable tale, John Carlos finally steps out of that iconic photograph to become the vibrant, fascinating hero we never really knew."

--Robert Lipsyte, author of An Accidental Sportswriter, a memoir

"John Carlos's story of bravery and sacrifice will warm your heart. But beyond his individual heroism, it speaks to the power of athletes who bodaciously refuse to just "shut up and play." Carlos and Zirin capture the way that through sports, the actions of a few athletes resonate across the globe."

--William Hunter, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association

"An intelligent and insightful look into the journey of one of our most underrated heroes. Mr. Carlos' passion for justice and fairness has changed our world. You can feel his passion (and his anger) in every word."

--Jemele Hill, ESPN columnist and television analystFOR MORE INFORMATION

www.haymarketbooks.org

www.johncarlos68.com

www.youngchicagoauthors.org