The time period of the 1960’s was full of protestors. People all around the country, especially down South, were fed up with how African Americans were treated day in and day out. They were treated like the garbage that you find on the side of a street. They had no control over their lives and how they wanted to spend their time. People started to get fed up that slavery still hadn't been completely abolished. Although there were many protesters, it was a rare to ever see a professional sports player ever speak out on behalf of the issue. This was until arguably the most prominent athlete in sports history stood up for what he believed in. This man’s name was Muhammad Ali. For the most part, people remember Muhammad Ali as this stud boxer who …show more content…
We saw the youngest president in United States history, John F. Kennedy, get assassinated while driving through Texas in a convertible. Additionally, Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for speaking out for equality for all races. There were many more events and people that contributed to the political and social unrest as well. Muhammad Ali fit right in. He was a trailblazer in both sports and social justice. Initially known as Cassius Clay, Ali captured the imagination of the USA by winning gold in the olympics. Then quickly after that he bursted upon the boxing scene and immediately became as iconic as people like Joe Namath and groups like the Beatles. Early in this boxing career, he defeated Sonny Liston, the overwhelming favorite, for the heavyweight boxing title. After that he was seemingly on top of the world. He made an impact on the 60’s in the ring but he is more well known for his impact out of the ring. He represented hope for the African Americans. If Muhammad Ali, one of the best boxers in the world, could speak out of social injustice then they could as well. Everyone looked up to him. Ali was a person that messaged to never conform to anything you do not believe in. Another way that he impacted the 1960’s was by changing his name. His original name was Cassius Clay, but when he decided to become a muslim he switched his name to what we know him as: Muhammad Ali. This became …show more content…
He was an icon. The greatest boxer of all time. Although Ali was this phenom boxer, that was not necessarily what he was known for. He represented some many different things. He was role model to basically all of America throughout the 60’s. He was someone that showed that you could accomplish anything you could put your mind to. He was the ultimate risk taker. Up until this time Black Americans were relegated to the sidelines and punished for speaking their minds but he did not care. He listened to his conscience and went on with his protesting. No matter what the circumstance happened to be, he stayed true to what he believed was the right thing to do. The life lessons that come with studying Muhammad Ali and his life both as a boxer and protester are invaluable. Ali was critical part of crazy decade of the 60’s. Many controversial events took place and Ali was always right there in the middle of it. The 60’s are none for people taking their stand and protesting; they were all backing up Muhammad Ali. Ali was a symbol of hope and was as perfect as a role model as you can get. He didn’t look to leverage his fame for any special treatment rather he used his fame to point out injustice and inspire the people around him to do the same. All of these things are why it is so crucial to study him in American history. After Ali did what he did all throughout the 60’s
Ali proved to be a strong-willed individual that did leave a huge impact on America, but what impact had increased as time continued and his faults have been somewhat forgotten. Those believing that Muhammad was more of a hero than Jackie Robinson most likely feel that Ali’s action of standing up against the United States government, when he was drafted, was an act of courage and bravery. The main reason why Ali didn 't wish to go to war in Vietnam was because he believed he shouldn 't be fighting for a country that ultimately didn 't support his own people within its own borders. Ali has developed into a figure of courage after the time that his happened. In the 1960s when this originally happened, Ali had more enemies as a result of his religious and social views and ideas than fans. Today we see that what he did may be considered heroic, but back when it actually occurred, Ali was seen as a nuisance to America. He was spreading word and influencing people to act against their own country in a time of war. Since Muhammad Ali’s retirement from boxing the course of time has faded criticism of Ali and left mostly just the positive parts of his life and career. As a society we’ve buried the controversial side of Ali’s existence in our minds and history simply remembers his greatness as an athlete. Robinson had an impact on
“Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee ahhhh! Rumble, young man rumble ahhhh!” Those were the words echoed time and time again from Cassius Clay and his corner man David Brown. Better known as Muhammad Ali, he has a legacy of being the greatest fighter whoever lived.
He is famous for his renowned systematic study of technique which revolve around the philosophy of nonviolence. Today, he is recognized as on the the most famous leaders of the Civil rights movement. He successfully passed the voting act which helped nearly four million minority voters into the democratic process. This was a major milestone in history, as it was the first time African Americans were running for public office in the South and winning, since the Reconstruction era.
he soared in the game of baseball, and is in the hall of fame. His legacy lives on in many Americans hearts and in baseball. A strong man on and off the field. A courageous man to break down the color barrier, and to continue it after his days in sports were over. Fearless in a way he would never give up on baseball or his passion to see African Americans to succeed, in a time where blacks were pushed from away from prosperity and success. The owner of the dodgers Branch Rickey, also contributed to the movement. Without him much of how we see the history, and baseball today might not be the same. He chose Jackie and started an uprising in blacks in baseball. The name Jackie Robinson won’t be soon forgotten, and he marks a big change to American history. Fighting for the game of baseball, and fighting for what he believed
The first reason Muhammad Ali isn't a hero is because he is violent. For almost all of his life he fought in boxing matches that all started when he was a boy because he wanted to beat up the kid who stole his bike. For 14 years, on-and-off, he was heavyweight champion and before that a lightweight champion. To do this, you had to have the rage to hurt your opponent. Muhammad Ali even said, “I believe in the eye-for- an-eye business, I got no respect for a man who won’t hit back. You kill my dog, you better hide your cat” (Myers 36). Now, in his 60’s,...
...He had been a witness to see that African American people were getting treated wrong because of their skin color; he felt that it was not the right thing to do because everyone should get treated equally. Following his path of hard work and making a difference there were Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. he paved the way for us black people to be equal in everything we have jobs, schooling, and our freedom, it has changed American history because African Americans have a came a long way from being slaves, beaten, and humiliated because of their skin. It has an impact on us because now if we see that we say something because we know that it is not right and really cruel. The lesson of this is to show that we all could take a stand no matter and not with violence all it takes is motivation, determination, and confidence to stand up for what you believe in.
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. later known as Muhammad Ali, was a black boxer, and was proud of it. Many African Americans were ashamed of their color, but Ali was different. He was the first boxer to win the Heavyweight Championship 3 different times. He had a great personality and was liked by the people. During his life, he made big decisions that changed the course of his life completely. Muhammad Ali's journey through life was a great inspiration for African American people, but Ali himself deserves the admiration of everyone.
He was fearless. He was powerful. His footwork was more beautiful than a ballet dancer. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist. He is the G.O.A.T of boxing. He is… Muhammad Ali. I will inform you about the biography of Muhammad Ali of how people saw him in real life, the Movie Ali how it portrayed Muhammad Ali based on his life through screen write, and the Vietnam War. Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest athletes in boxing history, but before there was the Greatest of All Time or the acronym G.O.A.T World Heavy Champion Muhammad Ali, he was just a little kid that went by the name Cassius Clay.
Ali was a world renowned boxer who earned titles such as the heavyweight champion of the world and an Olympic gold medal. Ali was a remarkable athlete, but his outspokenness led to his downfall that ruined boxing career in his prime. During the twenty year long Vietnam war, Ali was drafted to enter the army. But like many other religious, disabled, or otherwise conflicted United States citizens, Ali refused to join the draft. Ali’s fairly recent conversion to Islam prevented him from being able to engage in war or combat.
...le. He worked through the struggles and difficulties to make sure that his goals were accomplished. The actions he took allowed African Americans to gather hope and lead a change in our world.
Muhammad Ali was one of the best American athletes. Ali had one of the greatest fights in boxing history. He was not only known for boxing, he was also known for standing up for his rights. During the 1960 Olympics, Ali won a gold medal in Rome by defeating Zbigniew Pietrzykowski. After the Olympics, Ali became a professional boxer.
Shortly after winning the Gold Medal, Ali started looking for better opportunities by saying, “that was my last amateur fight, I’m turning pro, but I don’t know exactly how. I want a good contract with a good manager.” Ali felt that he was on top of the world after winning in the Olympics and felt confident that people of the U.S. would be proud of his accomplishment as he brought home the “Gold”. What Ali would return to find wasn’t anything like he had expected.
inspired many people to fight with peace and tranquility during the Civil Rights Movement in order to be able to accomplish getting equal rights. He was able to accomplish everything he did in his lifetime with the support of his family and the people who inspired him, and all Americans who thought equal rights was worth fighting for. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important civil rights activist because he fought in peace and not violence which inspired many Americans to fight with him rather than against him. Not only did he face segregation in his life, but he didn’t let that stop him, during the civil rights movement he really made a difference in American society, and he inspired others to become civil rights activist and he still has a big impact in society
Muhammad Ali is an example of an athlete who voiced his political ideologies in sports to advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and protest the War. As an Olympic gold medalist, heavy weight titlist, and many other victories, he used the fame to project his humanitarian efforts. Ali refused to serve in Vietnam due to his religion and as a result, he was stripped of his 1967 title . He retired in 1981 with an incredible 59 wins and five losses, but he will always known as symbol of courage, will power and strength, not for his career milestones, but for breaking racia...
Muhammad Ali is an example of an athlete who used politics in sports to advocate for the Civil Rights movement and protest the war. As an Olympic gold medalist, heavy weight titlist, and many other victories, he used the fame for humanitarian efforts. Ali refused to serve in Vietnam due to his religion and as a result, he was stripped of his 1967 title. He retired in 1981 with an incredible 59 wins and five losses, but he will always known as symbol of courage, will power and strength, not for his career milestones, but for breaking racial barriers.