His Black power salute shocked the world. He says it might have been the first viral protest.

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Sep 05, 2020 His Black power salute shocked the world. He says it might have been the first viral protest. In 1968, U.S. Olympian John Carlos and his track-and-field teammate Tommie Smith, two Black American athletes, took their places on the medal podium wearing only socks on their feet, and each raised a gloved fist — a Black power salute — against racial injustice and inequality. More than 50 years later, Carlos said athletes now have the power to reach even more people through social media. He thinks his social justice protest might've been the first one to reach the world stage. "You might say, back in 1968, maybe I was the forefront of social media, because our demonstration was on a worldwide level," Carlos, 75, said.  Read More Get the NBC News Mobile App Follow NBC News Check out all of NBCNEWS Newsletters here. Update Preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact | Privacy Update Preferences Unsubscribe Contact Privacy