Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice

Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice recounts the story of Olympic medalist Tommie Smith, who made history at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics with his Black Power salute on the podium. The graphic novel format brings Smith's journey to life, from his early years through his athletic career. The narrative follows Smith's path from his childhood in rural Texas to his emergence as a world-class athlete at San Jose State University. His achievements in track and field led him to the Olympic Games, where his silent protest became a defining moment in both sports and civil rights history. This collaboration between Smith and author Derrick Barnes presents a first-hand account of the events surrounding the iconic protest and its aftermath. The book incorporates historical context about the civil rights movement and the social climate of 1960s America. The memoir explores themes of courage, conviction, and the intersection of athletics and activism. Through Smith's experiences, the book examines the role athletes can play in advancing social justice and the personal costs of taking a stand for one's beliefs.

Readers emphasize that this nonfiction book tells an inspiring civil rights story in language accessible to young readers while maintaining historical accuracy. Parents and teachers note it provides context around athlete activism and peaceful protest. Readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex social issues for children ages 10-14 - Direct connections between 1968 events and current athlete activism - Peter Smith's illustrations help convey emotional weight - Inclusion of primary source photographs and documents Dislikes: - Some felt the pacing slowed in middle sections - A few noted certain historical details could have been expanded Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.41/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (89 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.9/5 (14 ratings) Notable review: "This book helped my students understand why athletes kneel today. The straight-forward telling made a complex moment in history accessible without oversimplifying." - Middle school teacher on Goodreads

Silent Gesture by Tommie Smith and David Steele This memoir chronicles Tommie Smith's life and his historic protest at the 1968 Olympics, detailing the impact and consequences of his raised fist on the medal podium.

Strong Inside by Andrew Maraniss The story follows Perry Wallace, who broke basketball's color barrier in the Southeastern Conference while facing racism and isolation as a student-athlete.

42 Is Not Just a Number by Doreen Rappaport This biography examines Jackie Robinson's life as he integrated Major League Baseball and used his platform to fight for civil rights.

Game Changers: John McLendon and the Secret Game by John Coy The book reveals the story of basketball coach John McLendon who arranged a forbidden integrated basketball game in segregated North Carolina in 1944.

Athlete Activists by Kenneth Shropshire The text explores the history of athlete protests from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, examining their impact on social justice movements.

🏆 Olympic sprinter Tommie Smith, whose story is told in this graphic novel, set a world record in the 200-meter dash at the 1968 Olympics while running with a pulled muscle. ✊ The iconic photo of Smith and John Carlos raising their fists on the Olympic podium has been reproduced as sculptures, murals, and artwork worldwide, including a 23-foot-high statue at San Jose State University. 📚 Author Derrick Barnes has won multiple Newbery Honors and the Kirkus Prize for his children's books, including "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" and "I Am Every Good Thing." 🏃 Smith and Carlos wore black socks without shoes during the medal ceremony to represent Black poverty, and Smith wore a black scarf to represent Black pride. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Dawud Anyabwile, is an Emmy Award-winning artist who also illustrated the popular "Ghostwriter" television series and created the comic series "Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline."