Why Jesse Owens is important for Indians?

Jesse Owens: Brief Biography

Jesse Owens, born as James Cleveland Owens in Alabama on 12th September 1913.

Born as the youngest of ten children in a poor sharecropper family. Sharecropper means a person whom the land owner allows to work in his/her land in return for a share of the crop produced in the land. His family moved to Cleveland during the Great Migration. The story goes that, when the school teacher asked him his name he said J.C. But, due to his southern accent teacher thought the name was Jesse and it stuck with him forever after that.

Jesse attended Ohio State University where he got immense success as an athlete. But, on the other front he never received the warmth he deserved. It is said that, when he travelled with the team, he was only allowed to have food at “Blacks-only” restaurants and stay in “Blacks-only” hotels. Never received any scholarship.

But, that did not stop Jesse from achieving greatness. On 25 May 1935, Jesse set 3 world records and tied one world record in the span of 45 minutes in the Big Ten conference. Which is one of the finest performances till date by all means.

1936 Berlin Olympics

After a lot of to and fro Jesse and other African American Athletes finally accepted to take part into Olympics. The Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany hosted by Nazi government.

A Lie called “Aryan Supremacy Theory”

Hitler propagated and supported one of the most racist, derogatory and false theories called as Aryan Supremacy Theory. According to which humans who do not belong to a certain race are inferior. There is nothing more bogus, no bigger lie than this theory. This is the connection, the bridge which connects Jesse with me, us Indians. We Indians suffered and are still suffering due to this fraud theory of Aryan Supremacy.

Importance of 3rd August in the History

On 2nd August 1934, Adolf Hitler, brought a law “Law Concerning the Highest State Office of the Reich”. This law ‘This law stated that upon Hindenburg’s death, the office of president would be abolished and its powers merged with those of the chancellor. Hitler thus became head of state as well as head of government’. Which essentially would declare Hitler as supreme leader of Germany, a dictator! On the next day 3rd August 1934, this law was passed without resistance (no surprise here) and Adolf Hitler took over the office as “Führer”.

Within 10.3 seconds, Jesse Owens defeated this bogus theory of Aryan Supremacy and Hitler’s false ego.

Exactly two years later on the same day i.e. 3rd August 1936, Jesse Owens took part in 100m dash running race and won Gold Medal. Think about it, an African American won a Gold Medal right in front of Hitler. How big is it historically!? On this historic day “Within 10.3 seconds, Jesse Owens defeated this bogus theory of Aryan Supremacy and Hitler’s false ego”. Even today, when I think about this event it feels really proud and grateful for Jesse. Thank God, Jesse proved Hitler wrong! Jesse then went on to win three more gold medals in the Olympics.

Jesse Owens and I as an Indian

As I explained previously, the connection and bridge which connects me as an Indian with Jesse Owens. Both our ancestors suffered due to “Bogus” Aryan Supremacy theory. A theory which is solely based on bigotry and racism. British ruled Indian psyche using this theory as a tool.

Nazi’s used this strategy to discriminate and belittle ‘others’ was used by British rulers in India. British imposed a fraudulent theory called Aryan Invasion Theory. The effect is that in India, fair skin color is still associated with greatness. We Indians unfortunately, still think of ourselves lesser than the west. Unfortunately, this inferiority complex has gone into our thought system. Sadly this theory is still part of school curriculum in some systems if not all.

When I read about Jesse Owens first thought came to my mind that we needed someone like him in India. Alas!

Interestingly and ironically, although Jesse Owens, proved Hitler wrong he could not escape racism. He did not receive any warmth back home as well. He still had to enter the bus from the separate door, he still could not take the front seat. He was never called upon by the President of the US to meet and to congratulate him on his achievements! The struggle of Jesse Owens still continues and so does the struggle of Indians to come out of this cesspool of inferiority complex.

This is the reason I feel Jesse Owens is as important for Indians as to any other community which was discriminated against. I hope the story of Jesse Owens will be taught in Indian schools someday.

Till that day, God Bless You My Brother!

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