Ep 9. Jesse Owens

In this episode of American Experience, viewers are taken back to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany where Jesse Owens, an African American track and field athlete from Ohio State University, made history. Despite the racist sentiments of the time, Owens secured four gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, and the 4x100-meter relay, breaking world records in the process.

The episode begins with Owens' early life in Oakville, Alabama, a sharecropping town where his family lived in poverty. After moving to Cleveland, Ohio, Owens discovered his love for running and began to showcase his talents in high school. He then went on to attend Ohio State University where he faced a different set of challenges as a black athlete. Owens was not allowed to live on campus and was forced to eat separately from his white teammates.

Despite these obstacles, Owens excelled in collegiate athletics and eventually qualified for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The episode highlights the political climate of the time, with the Nazi regime using the Olympics as a propaganda tool to showcase Aryan superiority. Owens' performance on the track was a direct challenge to this rhetoric, and he quickly became a symbol of hope for marginalized communities around the world.

The program also delves into Owens' personal relationships, including his marriage and his evolving friendship with German athlete Luz Long. Owens initially faced hostility from his German competitors but ultimately formed a bond with Long that lasted until his tragic death on the Italian Front during World War II.

The episode includes interviews with Owens' daughters and grandchildren, as well as archival footage and commentary from sports experts. It also explores the impact of Owens' Olympic triumphs on American society, shedding light on the complexities of race relations both then and now.

Overall, this episode of American Experience serves as a powerful tribute to one of America's greatest athletes and a reminder of the power of sport to inspire hope and break down barriers.