How Did Muhammad Ali Overcome Social Challenges

Muhammad Ali, known as the greatest boxer around, experienced social, physical, and mental challenges in his lifetime. He faced social challenges as an African American Muslim, he faced physical challenges because he was a heavyweight boxer that made the championships, and finally he faced mental challenges because he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Muhammad Ali experienced social challenges since he was an African American who converted into a Muslim. First, even as a boy growing up in the south, Ali encountered discrimination. For example, when Ali went to a stand to get soda, the clerk refused to serve him because of his race and religion. According to Schuppe, “After he was refused services at a soda fountain counter, he said,

he threw his Olympic gold medal into a river.” Second, president elect Donald J. Trump criticized the Muslim religion, which got Muhammad Ali very upset. In particular, Donald J. Trump said that he would ban Muslims from entering the United States. As indicated by Schuppe, Muhammad Ali said, “We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda.” Third, Muhammad Ali spent five years in prison for refusing to serve for the Vietnam War. As justification, on April 28th, 1967 Muhammad Ali went to the U.S. Armed Forces and he refused to serve because of his religious status. As mentioned in Muhammad Ali “Ali showed up for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces on April 28th, 1967.“

Along with having social challenges, Ali also had physical challenges as well.

First, Ali won the 1956 Golden Gloves tournament. To emphasize, Ali boxed against amateurs in the light heavyweight class. According to “Muhammad Ali Biography” “Ali went to win the 1956 Golden Gloves tournament for novices in the lightweight class.” Second, Ali lost against Leon Spinks in 1978. To emphasize, Ali lost in a February match, and just shortly after, Ali regained his victory in a September match against Leon Spinks. According to “Muhammad Ali Biography” “After losing his title to Leon Spinks in February 1978, Ali defeated him, in a September rematch.” Third, Ali traveled to compete in boxing bouts. To demonstrate, Ali won against Zbigniew Pietrzykowski from Poland to win the light heavyweight gold medal. According to “Muhammad Ali Biography” “Ali defeated Zbigniew Pietrzykowski from Poland to win the light heavyweight gold

medal.”

Ali also faced mental challenges in his lifetime of being an all time heavyweight boxer.

First, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which affected him greatly. To emphasize, his Parkinson’s had such a negative impact on him that he could barely speak or stand up. According to “Ali: The Mission states “...and he could barely function, he would be in bed and he couldn’t get out of bed because he couldn’t stand up, and he couldn’t talk because his voice wouldn’t go above a whisper.” Second, Ali was sent to the hospital many times for his serious health conditions. In particular, he was sent to the hospital for a awful urinary tract infection after struggling with pneumonia. According to “Muhammad Ali Biography” “Ali was hospitalized for a severe urinary tract infection after battling pneumonia.” Third, Muhammad Ali died June 3rd, 2016 and a three-day memorial service was held in honor of him. To validate, Ali was buried at the Cave Hill National Cemetery in his hometown, Louisville, Kentucky. According to “Muhammad Ali Biography” “The revered athlete passed away on the evening of June 3rd, 2016 at a Phoenix, Arizona facility.” Also “Muhammad Ali Biography” states “A three-day event occurred, which took place in Ali’s hometown of Louisville,

Kentucky.”

Ultimately, Ali was a extraordinary all time heavyweight boxer who encountered social, physical, and mental challenges in his lifetime. Although Ali passed away in 2016, he will still be remembered as a guy who never turned anyone down and and a successful boxer, who “floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.”