How to Celebrate the Life of Jesse Owens

In 1936 Jesse Owens delighted the world, and astounded Adolf Hitler, by winning four Olympic gold medals. But Jesse's influence extends far beyond the running track. In his 1994 book "The Black 100," Columbus Salley named Owens one of the 100 most influential African-Americans in history.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Running Shoes
• Biographies Of Jesse Owens
• Plane Tickets To Berlin
• Rental Cars
• plane tickets to Birmingham, Alabama

1. Treat yourself to a European vacation and visit Berlin, where Jesse Owens won his gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, the long jump, and as part of America's 4x100 relay team. Notice that a major road leading to the Olympic Stadium is named Jesse Owens Allee.
2. Visit the Jesse Owens Memorial Park in Oakville, Alabama, where Jesse was born. A replica of the family house holds mementos of his career, but the park's centerpiece is a 14-foot bronze statue of Owens striding through the Olympic rings, sculpted by Birmingham artist Branko Medenica.
3. Read "Jesse Owens: An American Life" by William Joseph Baker. You'll understand why the track star's legend extends far beyond the world of sports.
4. Honor Jesse's lifelong service to underprivileged youngsters by doing something for the kids in your town. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister, lend a hand with your local Scout troop, or simply send a donation to Jesse Owens Foundation, which awards scholarships to needy students.
5. Go for a run, especially if you've never done it before. Maybe you'll share Jesse's feeling that "...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."

Tips & Warnings

• For information on Jesse Owens Memorial Park and the Jesse Owens Foundation, see Related Sites.
• Jesse's parents named him James Cleveland Owens and called him J.C. He was nine years old when a new teacher asked him his name and he replied "J.C." The teacher thought he said "Jesse," and Jesse he became.