Luz examined Jesse’s face more closely and saw panic set in. Luz wanted to help. As Jesse made his way back to the starting line, Luz approached him from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. Jesse turned. Luz smiled and slowly introduced himself, “Hello, Jesse Owens. I am Luz Long.” Jesse’s eyes softened as the last of his ten- sion melted away.
Then and there, in front of 90,000 fans, on the world stage that is the Olympics, two people were no longer separated by nations or race. Instead, they found kinship as Olympians, as men, as friends.
73
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker