The 1st black Olympians from Africa in 1904 first competed in the “athletic event for savages” featuring the tree climb

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  • a lot has changed in 120 years

    Anonymous Poster

    7 hours ago 07/21/2024 11:21pm EDT

    theconversation.com
    Who were the first Africans at the Olympics? The disturbing story of two 1904 marathon runners
    Francois Cleophas
    Jan Mashiani and Len Tau apparently found themselves in the US in 1904 as part of a world’s fair displaying ‘savages’.
    Link:theconversation.com/who-were-the-first...

    To be historically accurate, the "athletic event for savages appear to technicallly have been part of the World's Fair which hosted the Olympics in St. Louis.

    Before competing in the Olympic marathon, Jan Mashiani (referred to as “Yamasani” by officials who could not pronounce his name) and Len Tau (referred to as “Lentauw”) participated in this “athletic event for savages”. Besides the stone-throwing battle, there was javelin throwing for accuracy, tree climbing, throwing the baseball, and various track and field sports including a one-mile (1.6km) race, which they ran in.

    All I can say is the world was a lot different in 1904 than today.

  • registered

    RichardRider

    Member since 05/30/2018.

    2,049 posts. Last post 6 hours ago.
    6 hours ago 07/21/2024 11:58pm EDT
    re: a lot has changed in 120 years

    Awesome. Thank you.

    Please follow this with the story of Josiah Thugwane (spelling?)

    This post was edited 2 minutes after it was posted.
  • registered

    Coevett

    Member since 05/30/2018.

    9,074 posts. Last post 1 hour ago.
    2 hours ago 07/22/2024 3:37am EDT
    re: a lot has changed in 120 years

    Yes, back then white people were convinced that it was scientifically obvious that Africans had a natural apptitude for climbing trees, whereas today, white people are convinced that it's scientifcally obvious that Africans have a natural apptitude for running fast.

    Back then, African athletes were forced to climb trees for the entertainment of white people and to validate their strange psuedo-scientific beliefs. Today, African athletes are doped from their early teens by white managers and coaches, sometimes literally to death, for the entertainment of white people and to validate their strange psuedo-scientific beliefs.

    Not so much has changed really when you think about it.

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