"Although I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either"

In this quote, Jesse Owens, a well-known African American professional athlete, is assessing his experiences throughout the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He is comparing his treatment by 2 effective leaders, Adolf Hitler and the President of the United States. Owens was not invited to shake hands with Hitler, who was understood for his racist and prejudiced beliefs, however he likewise was not welcomed to the White House to consult with the President, who was supposed to represent equality and justice for all Americans. This quote highlights the ongoing battle for racial equality and the frustration Owens felt in being rejected acknowledgment and respect from both leaders.