Jesse Owens Research Paper

Jesse Owens was the hero of the Berlin Olympics in 1936. His record-breaking races and achievement of four gold medals, as an African-American, not only aided in the overthrowing of the Nazi Empire but respect and glory for blacks in the South. Owens contribution to the world was that of impacting race relations in the US and discouraging world domination for Hitler. Owens is also credited with the act of challenging Hitler's empire and the Aryan Society to impose it as a weaker source. Although Owen's legacy was known for gaining african-american respect and the humiliation of Adolf Hitler, he was still just a man of integrity and morals who used his skills on the track to take a stand.

Early Life & Childhood

Jesse Cleveland Owens was

Germany was the source of the Nazi Empire, in which was a community that believed in communism and was run by a dictator by the name of Adolf Hitler. Hitler’s outlook included pledging to strive for civil peace, radical economic policies, and the restoration of national pride and unity. But Hitler’s main goal included, World Domination. And with the Nazi Empire based in Germany, Berlin was a hot spot for Nazi exposure. African Americans, like Owens, were already somewhat discriminated in the United States. The same belief is held in Berlin, whites are superior, but the Nazi Empire is the highest in Hitler’s social hierarchy. Fortunately, as Owens quotes, "I wanted no part of politics and beliefs in Berlin. And I wasn't in Berlin to compete against any one athlete. The purpose of the Olympics, anyway, was to do your best. As I'd learned long ago from Charles Riley, the only victory that counts is the one over yourself." This attitude and view from Owens soon allows his success to glow. Owens success was limited to only four gold medals matching the four events he competed in. Owens was most known for his four medals being achieved ina period of 45 minutes, he competed in his events all in 45 minutes and getting 1st in all. This crazy accomplishment humiliated Hitler making him hidden the rest of the Olympics after being proven wrong that Nazis are not superior. And although there are hundreds of other athletes that have gained more medals or broken more records. No other olympiad will be recognized and remembered as Jesse Owens, Owens discredited Hitler’s dominant race by humiliating him on the track. And most of all Owens affirmed that individual excellence and integrity, rather than race, color, and national origin, distinguishes one man from another. Owens took a stand, he took a stand for African Americans all around