Jesse Owens Research Paper

Jesse Owens once said, “We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort” (“Jesse Owens Olympic Legend"). Owens was a very experienced runner and an advocate against racism, which caused many people to look up to him in adoration. Owens had many struggles in his life, however he pushed through and focused on his dreams. He is one of the biggest African American inspirations in history for his acts on and off the field. Jesse Owens impacted the 1936 Olympics by playing a role in racism, influencing citizens, and dominating in many events.

Jesse Owens was not born a star, he struggled with money his entire life. During his early years, many times his family was not even able to provide an adequate amount of food on the table. He was born into a large and poor family of twelve, Owens being the youngest.

The German people did not see Owens the way Hitler and the government did, instead they saw him as an idol. David Wallechinsky, an Olympic historian, said, “‘The Nazi’s were trying to portray African Americans as inferior, even ridiculing the U.S. for bringing in ‘black auxiliaries’. The German government tried to make him into a negative symbol, and the German people say otherwise’” (Reid Charner). This quote shows how the German people did not embrace Jesse Owens as a negative symbol; instead they thought of him as a great influence. The German people idolized Owens’ acts to an extent where they would honor him as well. According to USA Today, Berlin made a memorial for Owens and even named a street after him (Reid Charner). This evidence shows how much Owens impacted the people of Berlin because they made parts of their city made for remembering him. Owens made a large impact on Berlin’s citizens by overlooking