"Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee"
"This is the legend of
Muhammad Ali,
the greatest fighter that
ever will be,
he talks a great deal
and brags indeed,
of a powerful punch and
blinding speed,
Ali fights great, he's
got speed and endurance;
if you sign to fight him,
increase your insurance,
Ali's got a left, Ali's
got a right;
if he hits you once, you're
asleep for the night..."
It has been said that there are
few opportunities in life to prove yourself a man; Muhammad Ali took advantage
of every one that came his way , in doing so endeared himself to his countrymen
and the world and became immortal in his own time. In a world where the
majority of the global population is impoverished it seems that people
all over are in need of hope. Muhammad Ali did just that, he provided hope
to a desperate world. the times were the 1960 and the country was being
torn apart. poverty on city streets were rising, racial tension was quickly
coming to a head, and uncle Sam was killing American youth in an immoral,
profit driven war overseas. The emergence of a young Cassius Clay coincided
with white America's fear of growing black militancy towards an oppressive
social and economic system. It was this same white America that had cheered
young Cassius to a gold metal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, that turned
their backs on him when he joined a radical black separatist movement and
changed his name to Muhammad Ali. With this same action he had swept him
self in controversy with the white majority, who now viewed him as a hostile
militant black threat. In the black community this militant black Muslim
was revered as a hero, the refreshing voice that socially oppressed blacks
needed. It was this voice that told black women that they were just as
beautiful as white women, that black men could survive without whites,
it was also the voice that said black men will not fight the rich mans
economic war in Vietnam; It was Muhammad Ali that angered white America
by flat out refused to be inducted into the Army based on his religious
beliefs. Ali stood toe to toe with the strongest government in the world
and said "NO". They were determined to bring him to his knees but he never
compromised, not once. The effect that "no" was played out largely on black
America's streets where people were amazed at the courage Muhammad Ali
was displaying. It quickly became clear to the U.S. Government and the
rest of the world that Ali would not back down from this position. He had
been striped of his title, lost his boxing license, and was sentenced to
5 years in prison for upholding his religious beliefs. Of all the fights
Ali has ever fought this one with Uncle Sam was so important for people
all aver the world. People saw for the first time a Black man stand up
in the face of Oppression and say, No I will not avail my self to your
unjust wars, I will no longer work to make you rich, I will no longer wear
you social chains, I demand equality and I will take nothing less!
The case against Ali was overturned
by a supreme court ruling in 1970; the court had given him his freedom
back but he had to get the title back himself. Refusing the Army had launched
Ali past any fame sports had brought him; he had transcended sports. throughout
Ali's career that spanned a total of 61 pro fights, he proved himself time
and time again to be an "Man". coming back form his suspension was said
to be impossible. With the odds stacked high against him, he shocked the
world again by defeating George Foreman and taking The title back in 1974.
He continued to uplift people around the world by continually proving that
the underdog can and does win. he proved this in 1978 by taking the world
title a record 3 times. In a time where hope was fading from the social
sceen of many people's lives Muhammad Ali was the Hero that they needed,
the man who proved that with enough faith in yourself not only will the
opposition fall but mountains will fall.
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