A Republican Rally in Baltimore, Maryland Quotes
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Source: A Republican Rally in Baltimore, Maryland
Speaker: Jesse Owens
"Hitler didn't snub me—it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram."
While at the Olympic Games, I had the opportunity to meet the King of England. I had the opportunity to wave at Hitler, and I had the opportunity to talk with the King of Sweden, and some of the greatest men in Europe. Some people say Hitler snubbed me. But I tell you, Hitler didn't snub me—it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram. I am not knocking the President. Remember, I am not a politician. But remember that the President did not send me a message of congratulations because people said he was too busy.
Context
This line was spoken by Jesse Owens in a speech delivered in Baltimore, Maryland (October 2, 1936).
The 1936 Olympics in Berlin was a pretty big deal because it was hosted by one very bad guy—Adolph Hitler. You might remember this dude as (among other things) a huge racist who promoted the idea of a "master race" of pure white people as the only folks suitable to rule the world. Imagine how embarrassed the Fuhrer was when the African-American son of a sharecropper won four gold medals right under his nose?
The stories in the press at the time said that Hitler had left the Olympic stadium rather than shake hands with Jesse Owens. Owens got snubbed, but he had made his point—the master race was a master lie. But, back in the United States, Jesse Owens had a slightly different story. He maintained that, while Hitler wasn't exactly a swell guy, he hadn't actually snubbed him, but had, in fact, waved to Owens from the stands after his wins.
Interesting…we're still gonna put Hitler firmly in the "Awful People" column because waving to another human being who's just achieved a major life victory is pretty much the least you can do.
Some more interesting information—Owens was actually a Republican who opposed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's re-election. He used this exact quote in speeches to campaign against the president. He'd tell stories about his time competing in the Olympics and draw the comparison between Hitler and President Roosevelt. Hey, at least Hitler gave Owens a sheepish wave from the stands. Roosevelt couldn't even be bothered to send a telegram to an Olympic champion. What did that say about FDR? We're not 100% sure, but it certainly is a pretty good attack line.
Where you've heard it
You'll probably hear this quote in the context of the 1936 Olympic Games. It's kind of cool because it's bit a of a mythbuster, even if at the end of the day we all still come to the conclusion that Hitler was a jerk.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
While this line isn't exactly pretentious, we're not sure it's 100% wise to start shouting, "Hitler didn't snub me!" at your next dinner party. What worked for Jesse Owens isn't gonna work for you, friend. Best to keep this one in your history books.