Muhammad Ali, (1942 - 2016)
The first day of Black History Month has started. SPC has decided to celebrate the month by choosing three figures to to explore and share with those who might enjoy learning a little more about figures in US history who have significantly impacted our world.
Today’s important figure is Muhammad Ali.
Known by many for his prominent boxing career, Muhammad Ali was not only a multiple heavyweight champion but also a prominent activist, entertainer, and orator.
Due to his strong religious and personal beliefs, Muhammad Ali was outspoken about the Vietnam war, considering himself a conscientious objector against the war. In 1966, Ali was drafted and refused to participate, openly citing the irony in televised interviews of the then racially segregated United States “-sending blacks overseas to fight for freedom.”
His bold public protest against the draft resulted in the US taking Muhammad Ali’s passport, and denying him a boxing license in every state causing Ali to sit out of boxing from 1967-1970. His commitment to his beliefs helped push Muhammad Ali into being recognized as an activist amongst his fellow civil rights leaders. He spent the intervening years of the war and sit-out going to colleges, giving speeches against the Vietnam War and advocating for African American pride and racial justice.
Returning to boxing after the war, Ali pursued other entertainment avenues performing in multiple media forms. He won two grammy awards for his spoken word poetry albums. Some have attributed it to influencing rappers that followed after him.
Muhammad Ali had an active public life. Self-styled “The Greatest '' he held the spectacular boxing record to back his persona of braggadocio and self-praise. His radical approach to self-love in the segregation era inspired others to demand more for themselves and fight head-on for self-justice. When his passing came in 2016 it was felt throughout the country as he was remembered as not only a great boxer, but also as a person who stayed true to his beliefs.
Post and art by Alex D. Araiza
