| |
 "I
was taught at a very early age by my coaches that even though ours
was a social structure, which prohibited people from mingling and
eating and living and riding together, that eventually things would
change through deeds. I thought then about those things because
when I came back after all the stories about Hitler and his snub.
I came back to my native country and I couldn’t ride in the
front of the bus, I had to go to the back door, I couldn’t
live where I wanted. Now, what’s the difference ? I wasn’t
invited to shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn't to be invited to
the ‘White House’ to shake hands with the President either."
These were the words of Jesse entangled in dilemma of the dreams
he made true and practically what the world came to him in return.
Inverse
Ratio Money Popularity :
But
bread still haunted him, as no one offered him a job. With a daughter
and another child on the way, Jesse was desperately in need of a
job. Finally, he managed to get a job as a playground instructor
for a modest amount of $ 30 a week. This Olympic hero laid his hands
on various works, which fetched him good money but simultaneously
also damaged his reputation. There came a time when people started
saying that Jesse kicked off his sports career for money.
People
had reasons to say so. Racing with a horse, motorcycles and automobile
were a few such acts, which downgraded his image. These activities
earned him handsome money and high-class life-style. Jesse made
a statement for these activities as, "I sold myself into a
new kind of slavery." But those who disliked slavery and liked
Jesse were not convinced by it as he had accepted the slavery and
was not forced to. Jesse seemed to make his life better without
being concerned about what the world around thought. He seemed to
grab the opportunities that improved his life. This was the reason
that he allowed to let his name turn millions. Shortly, Jesse Owens
Dry Cleaning Stores were booming around. Jesse was enjoying the
cash flowing in without taking any personal interest in the administration
and soon negligence bore fruits. In 1939 came a court summons. The
partners flew away and he was declared bankrupt with $ 55,000 in
debt. These were among the few mistakes he committed.
William Baker said in his biography that though he was bankrupt, insolvency was never seen in his lifestyle. He bought a brand new Buick and kept a fabulous wardrobe for himself and his wife. He also associated himself with Ford Motor Company as a personnel director of black workers.
This job took him out of news. Jesse as an athlete, could not keep himself away from sports and track. And after World War II in 1948, he produced an exhibition long jump leaping 25 ft 11inches. And ran effectively the distance of 100 yards in 9.8 seconds as late as 1955. |
|
Changing’
50s
The
50s started turning things around for Jesse. Associated Press voted
him ‘the greatest athlete of half century’.
These were the years he made thoughtful moves. He realized that
he had always loved youngsters and would love to do something for
them. Soon he got engaged with Illinois State Athletic Commission.
Jesse enjoyed it and claimed as, "There followed six years
of the most gratifying work I’d ever done." To widen the
horizon he then started working on radio and television. The ‘hero’
of 1936 Olympics was still a prominent public figure.  Professor
Baker thinks that there were reasons for him to be in news even
after 20 years of his historic victory. Prof. Baker said, "I
am convinced that were it not for the Cold War, Jesse Owens would
have been forgotten. America desperately wanted some black, visible
hero who had made it in American Society because the race question
was the Achilles heel of US propaganda. Jesse Owens was a wonderful
spokesperson for Americanism. He had made it; he was enthusiastic;
he had a work ethic about him and he was very patriotic." There
were few other candidates but lacked a thing or two. Paul Robinson
was a Communist who lived in Paris, Jackal Robinson was a very outspoken
person and Joe Louis was not on people’s mind as his career
was down.
Changing
Role
From
a playground instructor to sports specialist of Illinois Youth Commission
was a stepping stone from where he could reach to a variety of audience.
He was named by the State Department as America’s Ambassador
of Sports. Being the Ambassador he toured India, Singapore, Malaysia
and the Philippines for two months. He met government and sports
officials and as always, talked with disadvantaged children.
Later
in 1956, Owens was named the personal representative of President
Eisenhower to the Olympic Games in Australia. His itinerary also
included visits to schools and youth clubs. He was in touch with
people at various fora. The inspiring speaker addrJessed youth groups,
professional organizations, civic meetings, sports banquets, schools,
parent-teacher organizations, commencement ceremonies, church organizations
and brotherhood and Black history programs.
At
about the same time he became something of a corporate figure, endorsing
products of multinational companies and working as a ‘frontman’
for them. One such corporation was Atlantic Richfield. Owens spearheaded
the games in 1964 in which a million young people between the age
of 10 and 15 participated. The games are still conducted every year
as ‘ARCO/Jesse Owens Games’
|
