Watch Olympic Pride, American Prejudice

Olympic Pride, American Prejudice is a documentary that explores the little-known perspectives of 18 African American athletes who participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, also known as the Nazi Olympics. The movie is directed by Deborah Riley Draper and narrated by Blair Underwood. The documentary presents us with the stories of these 18 athletes, who were selected for the American team to participate in the Olympic Games in the midst of the Jim Crow era, a time of widespread racial segregation and oppression of black Americans. The film takes us back to that time, and through interviews with historians, family members, and experts, we learn about the experiences of these brave African American Olympians and the challenges they faced.

The documentary explores the political climate of the time, as the Olympic Games were being used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party to promote their ideology of Aryan racial superiority. There were debates in the United States about whether or not to boycott the Olympics, and some of the black athletes who were selected initially considered refusing to participate in the hope of shining a spotlight on the hypocrisy of American racial policies.

In the end, all 18 athletes decided to compete, and they went on to make history. They won an impressive total of 14 medals, including 8 golds, and shattered many records. The documentary pays homage to their incredible achievements, but it also reveals the complexity of their experience. On the one hand, these athletes were celebrated as heroes upon their return to the United States, with ticker-tape parades and other honors. On the other hand, they still faced discrimination and marginalization, particularly in the South.

Through the voices of the athletes themselves and their families, the documentary shows the sacrifices that these individuals had to make to pursue their dreams of representing their country on the Olympic stage. We hear about the different paths that led them to the Olympics, the challenges they faced both before and during the Games, and the ways in which they coped with the racism and prejudice they encountered.

What is particularly poignant about Olympic Pride, American Prejudice is the way in which it gives voice to the athletes who have often been overlooked in history books and in popular narratives about the Olympics. We hear from such figures as Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, who are well known for their achievements, but we also learn about the contributions of lesser-known athletes like Tidye Pickett, Louise Stokes, and John Woodruff. Through their stories, we gain a richer understanding of the black American experience and the role that sports played in the struggle for civil rights.

The documentary also acknowledges the contradictions within the Olympic movement, both then and now. While the athletes were able to defy expectations and earn medals, they were still subject to the rules and regulations of an organization that was complicit in the perpetuation of racism and discrimination. The documentary invites us to reflect on the legacy of the 1936 Olympics and to consider the ways in which sports can be used to promote social change.

Overall, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice is a powerful and moving tribute to a group of athletes who overcame incredible odds to make history. Through their stories, we gain a fuller understanding of the complexities of the past and the ongoing struggle for social justice in America. The film is beautifully crafted and expertly researched, incorporating archival footage, photographs, and interviews to create a vivid and engaging portrait of these remarkable individuals. It is a must-see for anyone interested in sports history, black history, or the ongoing struggle for equality in America.

Olympic Pride, American Prejudice is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 73.