Process Paper

The 2017 National History Day theme, Taking a Stand, can apply to many
events in history. After researching various potential topics, I was drawn to Jesse Owens
exhibition of athletic excellence during the politically charged 1936 Olympic Games.
Additionally, I was interested in learning about Owens impact on the running community
as well as modern day athletes in other sports. Owens stand against Hitlers theory of
Aryan Supremacy brought up the question: How do athletes today make stands against
political causes without politics overwhelming athletic performance?
Once I knew I wanted to study Jesse Owens stand against Hitlers theory of
Aryan Supremacy, I began my research by first searching for relevant books at the
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library. In addition, I conducted online research and found
various primary sources relevant to my topic, including video of Owens 100-meter gold
medal win at the 1936 Olympic Games. I used JStor, an online research database, to find
journals about the United States decision to partake in the Olympics rather boycott the
games as well as other sporting events in which politics played a role. After I found
primary sources, secondary sources, books, and journals, I took notes on each of the
sources and formulated my thesis based on those notes.
After completing research on my topic, I debated which medium to utilize for the
project. At first, a documentary or a display seemed like the best options for conveying
my ideas, but after much consideration, I chose a website because I thought that medium
would allow me to best convey my findings and I also had prior website experience from
last years history fair. I attempted to create my project with precise details, artistic
vision, and an interactive touch. Each of the main sections (Historical Context, Taking a

Stand, Impact) includes a conclusion statement that relates to the thesis, and gives a brief
insight into the sub-sections.
So, how does Defiance in Leaps and Bounds: Jesse Owens and the 1936
Olympic Games fit into the theme of Taking A Stand? It fits into the theme because
Jesse Owens TOOK A STAND against Hitlers theory of Aryan Supremacy at the 1936
Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. Owens won four gold medals, and proved that
athletic excellence is not based on race. Owens STAND served as an inspiration for
future athletes to strive for athletic excellence no matter the political circumstances.