Dr. Thomas Placide, a black American-born physicist, decided to murder Brigadier General David E. Twiggs, and he realized that it had to be done in December of 1860. He made this decision at the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Jesse Owens had just triumphed over the world's best runners in the two-hundred-meter dash. The physicist jumped up and cheered for the American victory, while his companion applauded politely. Yaakov Fein was one of the most influential scientists in the German Empire, but he was no chauvinist. After the race, Owens was presented to Prince Friedrich. The papers later reported that the prince had apologized for the absence of the seventy-seven-year-old Kaiser, and Owens had replied, "I'm sure the most powerful man in the world has more important things to do than watch six young men in their underwear run halfway around a circle." The quotation may have been the product of some journalist's imagination, but it became so identified with Jesse Owens that there was no point in arguing about it.
Whatever the truth of the matter, Placide settled back in his seat and looked at his program, getting himself ready for the next event.
"You must be proud of him," said Fein. "A fellow Negro."
"I am proud of him," his friend said. "A fellow American."
"But you are a naturalized German citizen now, Thomas. You should cheer for the German runners."
Placide only shrugged.
Fein went on. "It's a hopeful sign that a Negro has finally won a place on the American Olympic team."
Placide showed some annoyance. "In America, Negroes have equal rights these days."
"Separate, but equal," said Fein.
The black man turned to him. "They aren't slaves anymore, if that's what you're implying. The German Empire has this fatuous paternal concern for all the downtrodden people in the world. Maybe you haven't noticed it, but the rest of the world is getting pretty damn tired of your meddling."
"We believe in using our influence for everyone's benefit."
)
