Tommie Smith, iconic 1968 Olympics activist, defends Colin Kaepernick's protest

The message is getting drowned out by the method.

Much like when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest at the 1968 Olympics, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem has prompted no shortage of outrage and criticism. And much like with Smith and Carlos, those most vocal and vehement in their anger are missing the point.

Kaepernick’s problem is not with the military or the U.S. flag or even the anthem itself. It’s with a society where people of color, particularly young black men, continue to be marginalized. It’s with systemic racism that persists, 50-plus years after the civil rights movement. And it’s with people so fearful of what will follow that they refuse to consider someone else’s truth.

The manner in which the San Francisco 49ers quarterback protested makes it convenient to overlook all of that – a scenario with which Smith is familiar.

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“Colin is 28 years old and realizing that things are not quite like what 'they' said it would be,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. “He’s just speaking out (but) he used a platform that many Americans don’t agree with.

“He’s being vilified in how he brings the truth out,” Smith said. “I support him because he’s bringing the truth out – regardless of how done. If it’s not done violently, at least he should be heard.”

It’s been almost 50 years since Smith and Carlos stood on the podium at the Mexico City Games, the gold and bronze medalists in the 200 meters. Smith had set a world record on his way to gold, a mark that would stand for 11 years.

Yet all anyone remembers is that as The Star-Spangled Banner played, Smith and Carlos stood with heads bowed as each raised a black-gloved fist – Smith his right, Carlos his left.

It was meant as a symbol of protest against social injustice, racism and discrimination in particular. But with tensions running high in the United States – Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination six months earlier had set off riots – Smith and Carlos bore the brunt of a country’s fear and anger.

They were suspended from the U.S. Olympic team; they and their families received threats. Any financial gains they stood to receive after the Games evaporated.

“Dr. Martin Luther King said, `I’ve been to a mountaintop.’ Many of us can’t even draw a mountaintop,” Smith said. “So it is appropriate for us to move higher. Some of us are going to have to do, as I did, for others to reap the benefits of sacrifice.”

Athletes such as Kaepernick and Carmelo Anthony, who has been increasingly vocal in his calls for unity and an end to violence, are simply following the lead of Smith and Carlos and Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson.

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But too often we’re so focused on what they said that we don’t bother listening to a word of it. That’s doubly true now, when social media practically demands knee-jerk reactions and public shaming at even the slightest hint of controversy.

Kaepernick didn’t help himself with his tangents on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton – though that could be more the result of not realizing the reaction his initial protest would bring. But awkwardness in delivery shouldn’t negate its intent.

And instead of criticizing Kaepernick, Smith says, we should be encouraging other athletes to make full use of the unique platform they have.

“Hopefully this is the age of awakening – or you could call it the age of re-awakening,” Smith said.

“These guys are beginning to stand up. They see, `Oh my goodness gracious, that pertains to me,’” Smith added. “By them (speaking out), things keep rolling. Otherwise, the streets are going to rule. … We can’t let that happen.

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“We must move and deal with these issues. We just can’t sit back and say, `Oh, I’m going to keep my legs crossed because I don’t want anything to harm me.’ We can’t do that.”

Almost 50 years later, the problems that caused Smith and Carlos to raise their fists haven’t gone away. Resolution sometimes seems even farther away.

So long as there are people willing to put themselves and their beliefs on the line, however, Smith has hope.

“We shall overcome. And overcome only means moving to the next bridge, not that the battle is over,” he said. “There are a lot of battles to fight because it’s a big, long war.”

If you’re going to question or criticize Kaepernick, try to make sure you first hear what he's saying.