Muhammad Ali Hero Essay

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Muhammad Ali is one of the most influential and electrifying athletes in American history. Ali was an extremely controversial and polarizing figure during the early stages of his boxing career. Universally praised for is godly boxing talents, Ali played an exceptionally pivotal role in religious freedom, and racial justice across America in the 1960's. Despite severe backlash from the American public Muhammad Ali never backed down from his beliefs through his resilience and perseverance, Ali shattered the social roles and expectations of that time, as well as separating himself from the social pressures of the American world. All in all Muhammad Ali is a clear candidate for being a "hero". What is heroism: heroism is about one thing, "the concern for other human beings in need and defending a moral cause; however, knowing that by defending people and a moral cause, it may come at a significant personal cost." (Philip Zimbardo) In addition, the "hero" follows through with the heroic act without any expectation of reward or recognition for his/her service. Muhammad Ali's life reflects this statement by Dr. …show more content…

The announcement confirmed what many had feared: Ali’s ties with the Nation of Islam. Indeed, the Nation’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, himself gave the name upon Clay. Bravely confronting a mind boggled press the re-named Ali explained, "Cassius Clay was my slave name. I’m no longer a slave." (Muhammad Ali) By restructuring his identity, Ali displayed his political consciousness, disrupting his image as a mere sports figure which society had placed upon him and stranding him in the political fray of the turbulent 1960s. Ali’s decision to be so incredicly vocal at this critical moment in his career and life in the unfolding Civil Rights movement, sports historian Clayton Goodwin

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