American John Woodruff receives a gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Bundesarchiv G00628
The Nazis embraced the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a chance to demonstrate their theory of the dominance of a "master race." Both Jewish and Black athletes were motivated to shatter that myth. When the games came to an end, African American athletes claimed a quarter of America’s medals. Though they had brought glory to their country, they returned home to a segregated nation, and many soon felt their sacrifice was forgotten.
Speakers
Dr. Damion Thomas, Sports Curator, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Dr. Daniel Greene, President and Librarian, Newberry Library, and Curator, Americans and the Holocaust special exhibition, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Moderator
Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Watch live at facebook.com/holocaustmuseum. You do not need a Facebook account to view our program. After the live broadcast, the recording will be available to watch on demand on the Museum's Facebook page.