Hi, historians! As part of our discussions about historical changemakers and innovators, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we read short biographies about 2 more influential people: Jesse Owens and Stevie Wonder.
Stevie Wonder: Singer-Songwriter & Music Producer
Stevland Judkins (“Stevie Wonder”) was born in 1950. He always loved music, and showed a remarkable talent at a very young age. Stevie was visually impaired, but not being able to see did not stop him from pursuing his dream. He auditioned for MoTown records at only 11 years old! His first #1 hit album was released in 1963, and he continued to make music with messages of love, compassion, justice, and unity through his entire career. He even collaborated with Ariana Grande on a song, “Faith”, in 2016!
Stevie Wonder played the piano, harmonica, and sang. He felt the music, and could often be seen dancing and swaying as he performed. He loved music and loved to perform.
Wonder used his voice to change the world, writing about the problems facing oppressed groups of people, particularly the racism that African-Americans faced. But we are sick and tired of hearing your song / Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong, he sang in 1974.
Wonder continues to inspire musicians with his message, his heart, and his legacy. Feel free to click the link below to watch Wonder’s live performance on Sesame Street.
Jesse Owens: Track-and-Field Champion & Olympic Athlete
Jesse Owens was not only an amazing athlete, but his success in the Berlin Olympics shook up an entire nation (and the world). Born James Cleveland Owens, Jesse had several health conditions that made him feel sick and weak most of his childhood. But by 5th grade, Jesse grew into a strong athlete who could beat almost anyone in a race.
He began setting world records for sprinting and jumping. His athletic skill and talent led him to be a member of the American Olympic track-and-field team. His coach once said it seemed he could “float on the air”.
But there was one problem with Jesse’s dream to compete in the Olympics… they were going to be held in Berlin, Germany (which in 1936 was under Hitler’s government). Hitler and the Nazi party were confident that no Black athlete could beat their Aryan athletes (white, blonde, blue-eyed).
The audience was shocked when Jesse began to beat German athletes in several different races and competitions (the 100, 200, and 400 meter sprint as well as long jump). He even won a gold medal! But when the time came for him to receive his award, Hitler refused to shake his hand.
Jesse later pointed out that the racism he experienced in Germany was something he also experienced in America, saying “I wasn’t invited to shake Hitler’s hand, but I wasn’t invited to shake our President’s hand either”. Jesse proved to the world that the colour of your skin does not limit your athleticism or what you can achieve.
Click the link below to watch Jesse competing in his gold medal winning race in the 1936 Olympics: