Jesse Owens Research Paper

Imagine, a child in the 1930s not having food or money. Walking for miles to school and back everyday. Having the burden to help his family to farm and make money. This was the situation for Jesse Owens (Gigliotti 17). During the time of great depression, there was still hope left in some people. Amongst these people, Jesse Owens had the most hope. The four time Olympic gold medalist and an influential speaker, Jesse Owens, grew up in a time when families were hungry and homeless. His story is inspirational, as he went from being poor to a history making Olympic runner. He crushed Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy and won over the hearts of millions (ESPN).

James Cleveland, J.C. is otherwise known as Jesse Owens and was born in Oakville, Alabama,

During his junior year in Ohio high school, Owens competed in 42 events in school and won in all of them(ESPN). His new coach at the time, Larry Snyder, really boosted his confidence. He would make him train again and again. With this training, Jesse soon was in the Olympics. Owens had won two races, but not given the title of victory for either because the Germans decided the “wind” had aided him during his race (Gentry 5). The author Tony Gentry of the book Jesse Owens Champion Athlete states, “He didn’t care the award wasn’t his, but he kept going strong”(Gentry 6). This quote explains to the reader that Owens was a fighter. No matter the discrimination he got, he knew he could still beat the other in confidence. He was certain, that he could defeat them and make history. Owens then started winning. He had won over the German crowd (Gentry 41). Jesse Owens broke five records and equalled a sixth record which lived on for twenty five years. Hitler hoped to show that all other races were not superior. Owens instead made history, and was praised as an African American.(“Jesse Owens”). Many offers came pouring in on Owens, who was in college at the time. He decided to take the money and travel everywhere to perform and race(Gentry 52). He was just married to Minnie Ruth Solomon, and he was told to go on the tours. So, right after marriage he hit the road (Gentry 59). Soon after, the committee got mad because they wanted him to travel around the world, and he just wanted to go home. So he didn’t board his flight and was going to get punished (Gentry 53). Owens then went back home and the Olympics came around. The day before a race, Jesse was pranking his bunkmates with water, but it backfired and he hurt his tailbone. Miraculously, right before the race started Jesse was fine (ESPN). This shows the reader that Jesse Owens was determined and the sport was his