yr13_ia_2007_bsmith1_d

=D. Analysis=

__Ali and Africa.__ Ali’s influence because of his style was not nearly as inspiring as his fights. Muhammad Ali’s boxing matches weren’t just a source of entertainment; they were a source of strength and pride for the African people. However popularity is not created through nothing Ali contributed significantly to the task of explicitly promoting the development of Africa. Ali went to Africa in the 1964 when Africa was not even recognized at the time. Ali was welcomed in Ghana by the President Kwame Nkrumah, along with ten thousand citizens, chanting his name. But why?

He was the first American athlete to visit the continent but that sure was not the only thing he brought. He promoted the people, their way of life and religion. However it was his strength of character. Ali lost his title, respect, fans, and a large amount of his wealth by not accepting the draft for the Vietnam War. 1974, The Rumble in the Jungle was held in Zaire (present day Congo). Ali’s bout brought vast publicity as well as money. Fight promoter Don King accuired a purse of $10 million. This was the largest purse ever acquired for a fight. Even though Zaire’s economy was weak, President Nkrumah put up the $10 million for the long-term benefits of bringing attention to Zaire, contrasted to countries going to war to be known. Being such an anticipated event, many boxing enthusiast flooded to get tickets and millions of people were tuned in to the fight through either television or radio. The Africans adored him. They would scream “Bombaye, Ali!” which translates to “Kill him, Ali!” This was quite ironic for someone who was a pacifist. When he was walking to the ring, He turned to the camera and said

//“I'm fightin' for God and my people, I'm not fighting for fame or for money. I'm not fighting for me, I'm fighting for the black people on welfare, the black people who have no future, the black people who are wine-heads and dope addicts. I am a politician for Allah."//

This is why the people loved him the way he did. He was a symbol of hope, courage, strength and unwavering determination and spirit. Yet he was kind and generous. He was a selfless figure who stood up for what he believed in at all times.

__Ali and the US Civil Rights Movement.__ Ali’s approach to the Civil Rights Movement was significant because he made no contribution to the movement. Ali was attracted to the Nation of Islam, a wealthy, social, religious and political organization whose goal was racial equality. However the NOI opposed the civil rights movement and preferred self-containment and separation. Ali and the NOI believed that the civil rights movement brought the violence upon the black community because it angered the white community by try to force the integration. However where Ali and the NOI differed was in their outlook on white people. The NOI believed them to be devils, where Ali could not accept that accusation. Ali was joined in this belief by Malcom X who was a radical leader of the NOI but was deviating further away. They became almost brothers… (note to Mr. Tarr, I only just found information that I could use last night)

__Ali and the Vietnam War__ Even though Ali’s influence stretched all over the world, it never left home. At the time of the Vietnam War, the US still maintained the draft policy and their patriotic sense of duty. Ali was frequently asked about the Vietnam War by the press and responded with a famous statement, //“I ain’t got no quarrel with no Viet Cong.”// Originally, Ali failed the Army IQ test therefore he could not be eligible for induction. However with the increasing need for manpower, the army lowered the pass rate for the test and thus Ali became eligible for induction. Ali refused to answer on call and was taken to court. Ali’s defense was that as a Black Muslim minister, he would no participate in war on religious grounds. The army deemed this invalid because as a Muslim he would participate in a Jihad, a Holy War. Also he felt it was morally unjust.

//**—Muhammad Ali**//
 * //"No, I am not going 10,000 miles to help murder kill and burn other people to simply help continue the domination of white slave masters over dark people the world over. This is the day and age when such evil injustice must come to an end."//**

Deemed a traitor, his boxing license was withdrawn, his title was stripped and his passport was taken. Losing the initial court battle made him face a 5-year prison sentence. However this did not stop him from making his point. Aside from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X, Muhammad Ali was the only other public figure to openly speak out against the Vietnam War. Ali spoke on college campuses at rallies that were against the war.