Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens in the 1936 Oluymics (http://inklake.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/jesse-owens-1936-olympics.jpg)

Courage, respect, and overcoming are all traits of a true hero. Jesse Owens is a true hero that won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin. James Cleveland Owens was an African-American Sprinter who helped break the racial barriers for African American athletes. He was born in Oakville Alabama on September 12, 1913 and died on March 31, 1980. He broke three world records and won four gold medals in the Olympics. Owens overcame racial barriers, was respected by his community, and courageous at the Olympics. Jesse Owens is a courageous, respectable, person who overcame many difficult things.

To earn respect you must give respect. Jesse Owens was respected and gave his respect to people he thought deserved it. Jesse Owens showed respect and was respected by a lot of people. “From what I know Jesse he gave a lot back to his community.”(Americanprofile.com) This shows that people respected him because he gave back to his community. This also shows he paid his respect to his neighbors and community. Jesse Owens also organized and participated in youth groups. “Owens organized a number of playground programs and served as the director of the Chicago Boys’ club.”(Www.find.galegroup.com) Owens wanted to help youth with sports and wanted to be a part of a respected organization. He showed he could help young kids with sports and kids gave him respect. Jesse Owens is respected by a lot of people. He gave back to his community and organized programs for kids.

Jesse Owens overcame many obstacles in his life. Owens had to overcome racism all throughout his life, but he had it the worst at his university. “He experienced racism while a student at Ohio State, but the incidents merely strengthened his resolve to succeed.”(Www.galegroup.com) This shows that he overcame the racism at his university. It made Owens stronger and he only wanted to succeed more. Another obstacle he had to overcome was not dining or staying in the same hotel with his teammates. “When he traveled with the team, Owens could either order carry-out or eat at "black-only" restaurants. Likewise, he slept in "black-only" hotels.” (Www.galegroup.com) This was a big thing to overcome because all his teamates stayed at 5 star hotels while he was staying at “black only” hotels. Owens faced a lot and overcame a lot, throughout his whole life.

Jesse Owens demonstrated courage, respect, and he overcame many horrible things. He demonstrated Respect by giving back to his community and organizing groups for kids. Owens overcame racism and prejudice at his school. Jesse Inspires us by staying strong and ignoring all the racist comments while being one of the best sprinters at the time. Everyone should try to be like Owens and just believe in their dreams. Jesse Owens is an inspirational hero to any athlete and anyone regardless of race.

"Jesse Owens." 2010. Biography.com. 21 May 2010, 12:49 http://www.biography.com/articles/Jesse-Owens-9431142. "Jesse Owens." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 12. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 43-44. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 21 May 2010.Works Consulted "Owens, Jesse (1913-1980)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 21 May. "Owens, Jesse." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. Vol. 8. Detroit: UXL, 2003. 1435-1437. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 21 May