February 19–May 13, 2012, at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Race
Debates and questions about race in culture are revealed in striking ways throughout the history of sports and sports images. In the United States, minority populations achieved equal treatment on the sports field long before gaining equal rights off the field. In the early 20th century, boxing and the Olympics provided some of the first opportunities for African Americans and other minorities to compete with whites. Professional baseball, basketball, and football followed in the mid-1940s. In an odd contradiction, American sports fans often overlooked race to support an athlete competing against a political rival or enemy. The images in this exhibition highlight racial debates in culture.
- 1908
- Jack Johnson becomes the first African-American world heavyweight champion, defeating Canadian Tommy Burns.
- 1968
- Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists in a Black Power salute during the Olympic medal ceremony, resulting in their suspension from the U.S. team and expulsion from the Olympic Village.
- 1971
- Basketball player Lew Alcindor changes his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
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