It has been said that there are few opportunities in life to prove yourself a man; Muhammad Ali took advantage of every one that came his way , in doing so endeared himself to his countrymen and the world and became immortal in his own time. In a world where the majority of the global population is impoverished it seems that people all over are in need of hope. Muhammad Ali did just that, he provided hope to a desperate world. the times were the 1960 and the country was being torn apart. poverty on city streets were rising, racial tension was quickly coming to a head, and uncle Sam was killing American youth in an immoral, profit driven war overseas. The emergence of a young Cassius Clay coincided with white America's fear of growing black militancy towards an oppressive social and economic system. It was this same white America that had cheered young Cassius to a gold metal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, that turned their backs on him when he joined a radical black separatist movement and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. With this same action he had swept him self in controversy with the white majority, who now viewed him as a hostile militant black threat. In the black community this militant black Muslim was revered as a hero, the refreshing voice that socially oppressed blacks needed. It was this voice that told black women that they were just as beautiful as white women, that black men could survive without whites, it was also the voice that said black men will not fight the rich mans economic war in Vietnam; It was Muhammad Ali that angered white America by flat out refused to be inducted into the Army based on his religious beliefs. Ali stood toe to toe with the strongest government in the world and said "NO". They were determined to bring him to his knees but he never compromised, not once. The effect that "no" was played out largely on black America's streets where people were amazed at the courage Muhammad Ali was displaying. It quickly became clear to the U.S. Government and the rest of the world that Ali would not back down from this position. He had been striped of his title, lost his boxing license, and was sentenced to 5 years in prison for upholding his religious beliefs. Of all the fights Ali has ever fought this one with Uncle Sam was so important for people all aver the world. People saw for the first time a Black man stand up in the face of Oppression and say, No I will not avail my self to your unjust wars, I will no longer work to make you rich, I will no longer wear you social chains, I demand equality and I will take nothing less!

The case against Ali was overturned by a supreme court ruling in 1970; the court had given him his freedom back but he had to get the title back himself. Refusing the Army had launched Ali past any fame sports had brought him; he had transcended sports. throughout Ali's career that spanned a total of 61 pro fights, he proved himself time and time again to be an "Man". coming back form his suspension was said to be impossible. With the odds stacked high against him, he shocked the world again by defeating George Foreman and taking The title back in 1974. He continued to uplift people around the world by continually proving that the underdog can and does win. he proved this in 1978 by taking the world title a record 3 times. In a time where hope was fading from the social sceen of many people's lives Muhammad Ali was the Hero that they needed, the man who proved that with enough faith in yourself not only will the opposition fall but mountains will fall.

-Erik Hansen- 29sept98

 

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