Please, Dr. Tommie Smith!
An article designed for those with imagination who would like to make a difference, effortlessly, in terms of their own priorities
by R. Martin Oxman

One of the moments with my little Marcello ( http://marcelsgeo.blogspot.com/ ) which I treasure the most is when we were asked to leave the campus of Stanford University, specifically its Bechtel International Center ( http://www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/ ).

That was two years ago, when he was only six! We had crossed the line, apparently, by touching upon ( just some of ) Bechtel’s worldwide abominations ( http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=6975 ), and foul-mouthing Condoleezza Rice’s complicity in Chevron-related genocide in Cabinda and Nigeria. (1a)

On top of everything else, it was Caribbean Day, courtesy of Bechtel… and we were about to go under the limbo stick!

Well, I’m feeling a little better about that treatment these days ’cause I’m getting ready to expose that prestigious institution for what it is… the horror that it perpetuates in the cancer community, vis-a-vis race relations, on all counts ‘cross the board. In the name of improving life for one and all ‘cross the board.

By putting “the truth” (1b) for one and all to consider on one of the world’s biggest stages, in a way that people will not be able to… look away, or ignore the thrust of the important messages.

Kind of like what Tommie Smith did with his raised black fist at the ‘68 Olympics. (2)

I just finished rushing through Smith’s autobiography ( penned with the Baltimore Sun’s David Steele ), SILENT GESTURE. I immediately wrote to him, forgetting the deflating frustration associated with all the Big Names who have repeatedly refused to respond to my requests to brainstorm in solidarity. Putting aside memories of friends who have succumbed to cynicism, resigned to God knows what.

Something tells me that my missive will resonate with him. And if my proposal for unprecedented action does touch the deepest part of his heart, promising an even greater impact than what was courageously achieved forty years ago in that historic moment in Mexico… perhaps Dr. Smith’s imprimatur ( and his indefatigable, loving energy ) will contribute to a miracle.

I ask the reader to imagine Tommie Smith, with gloved hands, as Governor of California for only two years… some time between January 3, 1967 and January 6, 1975, when Reagan was tearing up the state, preparing to run down the nation. What he could have done without the cooperation of even one legislator. (3)

What he could have accomplished with his attitude and knowledge at such a time, especially if he had gotten into the Executive Office in Sacramento without any money, without any media support, and as a write-in candidate.

For some readers conjuring up such imagery might take a little research and/or time to digest the possibilities. Reviewing “Gubernatorial powers” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_California might help, if that’s the case.

Regardless, I highly recommend that all readers take the heartbeats to push their imaginative envelope. (4) It’ll be well worthwhile, I promise.

Just think about what a fuss I could have made if I had been Governor of California when security guards at Stanford escorted me and Marcel off the grounds of Bechtel International Center in the middle of our limbo dance on that Caribbean Day.

Or Tommie Smith. Or you. Or someone else with integrity and passion and hope.

Footnotes:
(1a) Don’t think that Bechtel doesn’t affect you locally: http://www.counterpunch.org/bacher07232008.html. Furthermore, it should be noted that Marcel, an honorary citizen of Cabinda, with a passport from that exclave of Angola issued to him by the High Commissioner of Cabinda in the UK, knows more about the ongoing genocide in those parts of Africa than the vast majority of Stanford’s faculty, staff and students; they had a lot to learn from us. Very important stuff.
(1b) It will be the author’s pleasure to delineate what’s meant by “the truth” in this context… upon request.
(2) If you’re not totally in tune with the iconic image that I’m using as the point of departure for this whole article, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommie_Smith, and get thoroughly familiar with the impact of what was accomplished.
(3) So much can be implemented instantly by a governor of California UNILATERALLY, it makes me willing to “sacrifice” much for the privilege of putting a sweet soul in office, inspires very charged, appropriate adrenaline, too little drawn upon these days, so needed.
(4) What do YOU want done, changed? Consider telling me. Whether or not you reside in California, regardless of what realm you’d like to address. This plan, if implemented, will have benignly powerful tentacles.

R. Martin Oxman can be reached at headburg@yahoo.com. If he doesn’t respond within 24 hours… something’s amiss. He wants to get things moving, and he’s going to need a lot more souls than just Tommie Smith’s. Olympic-size tennis, anyone?. Meaning, back and forth, dialogue.