How Did Muhammad Ali Impact Society

Muhammad Ali can be quoted saying “I’ve always wanted to be more than just a boxer. More than just the three-time heavyweight champion. I wanted to use my fame, and this face that everyone knows so well, to help uplift and inspire people around the world.” (“Muhammad Ali Quote”). Ali arguably was “the Greatest” of his time, not just as a boxer, but as an American. Through the attention he gained from his boxing career, he was able to draw attention to key issues in America, such as religion and war. Also, through the wealth accumulated from his lucrative career, Ali was able to provide support to those struggling. Muhammad Ali could have possibly made the biggest impact on American society and culture through its existence, as he popularized

the sport of boxing with a wide set of skills and boldness, adopted the religion of Islam during a time when many rejected it, opposed the Vietnam War on a national stage, thereby promoting peace in America, and gave back to the nation that supported him charitably.
Muhammad Ali’s talent for boxing caused an increase in the sport’s popularity, despite already being very popular at the start of his career in 1960, as he developed an unconventional fighting style where he would drop his fists and dodge punches with his quick reflexes and well-developed footwork.

Often stating that he was the best, the public perceived his confidence as arrogance and had negative feelings about him. Still, crowds would roar as he continued to win matches with his unorthodox style. With his great production, Ali attracted big names in boxing, such as Liston, Frazier, and Foreman, and the sport continued to grow in its popularity in the United States (Pettinger). Frazier may have been Ali’s biggest rival; after splitting the first two fights, they met in Manila, Philippines, commonly referred to as “The Thrilla in Manila.” Ali would win the last bout against Frazier in 1975, immortalizing himself in the boxing industry (Kiellar). Some may wonder how this relates to American culture; the popular form of recreation in America, that was often used to describe the culture in the United States, thrived due to the appearance of Muhammad Ali in the ring, with his exceptional skills while donning boxing gloves and his eccentric personality, displayed through his famous statement “I am the Greatest,” that continued to draw attention to the sport (“Muhammad Ali

Quote”).
Ali had a large role in the acceptance of Islam in America, as he had adopted the religion in 1964, a period of American history where it was viewed negatively.

With his conversion to Islam he changed his name from the “slave name” Cassius Clay to the “free name” Muhammad Ali (Muhammad Ali - Cassius Clay). As Muhammad Ali, he grew less conceited and more devoted to benefitting society. He used his role as an active minister in the church of Islam to avoid the draft into the Vietnam War, claiming that it was against his religion (Muhammad Ali interview on not joining army). He has also acted as a primary beneficiary of the Nation of Islam, as he financed the building of Masjid al-Faati, a mosque in Chicago, and the educational resources for many students of Islam in America and on an international level (“Muhammad Ali - Cassius Clay”). The funds from Muhammad Ali were used to make America both a more peaceful and accepting society, while his fame in the nation was used to limit the prejudice faced by Muslims in

America.
Muhammad Ali made a great effort to promote peace in America, resulting in a harmonious society. On April 28, 1967, Ali announced his refusal to enter the United States military for two major reasons: one, he was acting as a minister for the Nation of Islam, and two, he didn’t support what he believed was senseless violence in other nations, when there were injustices, such as racism, to deal with in America during the same period (“Muhammad Ali refuses Army Induction”). This would result in Ali being stripped of his heavy-weight title, proving that he actually believed in the cause he was fighting for (“Muhammad Ali - Cassius Clay”). In an interview with Muhammad Ali, he brings up the argument that the Vietcong never did anything wrong to him, thereby resulting in no reason for him to travel thousands of miles to shoot at them (“Muhammad Ali Explains His refusal to Fight in Vietnam (1967)”). This train of thought was adopted throughout the United States, as many Americans began to implement ideas similar to the national hero.
Ali was also important to the development of American culture and society through his charity that impacted a long list of organizations. The organization Athletes for Hope was focused on improving the community through charity work, while funds from Ali’s career were also used in BeatBullying, Project A.L.S., UNICEF, and Parkinson Society Maritime Regime, a disease that he is currently battling, as well as 14 other institutions focused on the improvement of society on a local and national level. With the establishment of the Muhammad Ali Center, he hoped to promote six basic principles that he has practiced throughout his life: Confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. Key battles fought for through this organization are HIV and AIDS prevention, children’s and human’s rights, and hunger prevention. He is also the founder of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, which focuses on giving back to the health community of America. Through his charitable acts he has made American society a better place to live (“Muhammad Ali: Charity Work & Causes”).
Muhammad Ali’s great impact on America can be traced to his roles in popularizing boxing, causing the religion of Islam to be more accepted, increasing the effort to maintain peace during war times, and giving back to the community through charity. Boxing was a key piece of American culture during the career of Muhammad Ali, through the 1960s and 1970s. While he practiced Islam, he made the religion more accepted in a society that rejected it. Also, he acted as a peace advocate during war times, specifically the Vietnam War. Lastly, he provided aid to the many struggling in America. Muhammad Ali’s great impact on American society and culture has resulted in the argument of him having one of the largest impacts on America, an extremely subjective topic that can only be determined by the individual.