Ali: spirit of the 60s Essay Example

events involving Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King did not deeply impact the young Clay. However, the revelation of America's harsh reality came with the tragic incident that occurred in Money, Mississippi in August 1955. This particular event had a profound effect on Clay as it involved the brutal murder of Emmett Till, a young black man who had visited family in Mississippi from Chicago. Till's harmless flirtation with a white woman led to his senseless killing by her enraged husband. Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to guilt, the murderers were acquitted and set free. When Clay discovered that he shared both his birthday and birth year with Till, this case resonated deeply within him. Ali later revealed that during his childhood, he initiated his first act of protest against this oppressive system as an attempt to seek justice for Till. This act involved throwing rocks at a poster featuring Uncle Sam alongside his famous phrase "Uncle Sam Wants You," holding great symbolic significance for Ali and his friends.
The small event eventually became a symbol of the larger battle Ali would confront against the US government. It is also believed that young Clay and his friends might have had involvement in causing a train to derail. Despite the uncertainty surrounding this incident, it made Clay realize the gravity of the situation, and he would never ignore it again.

Clay's ascent in the boxing world, marked by his triumphs in state, national, and golden glove championships, captured public attention. His success was not only attributed to his boxing skills but also to his charismatic personality and outspoken nature - qualities that would prove valuable later on. As he

pursued his career, Clay was also shaping his own identity. Despite controversy surrounding his association with the Nation of Islam (confirmed by the FBI and later acknowledged by Ali himself), Clay first encountered the organization in 1958. During this time, he heard fellow black individuals expressing their perspectives on white people and experiences of unfair treatment. This encounter fostered a sense of black pride within him. However, society widely criticized the Nation of Islam's message for promoting violence and deviating from mainstream culture, including within the black community itself. Consequently, Clay chose to keep this impactful experience to himself.

Clay's first major national experience was winning the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960s Olympics. While at the Olympics, a Soviet reporter asked him about his return to a country that treated people like him as second-rate citizens. Ali responded, "We have our problems, sure, but tell your readers we got qualified people working on that, and I'm not worried about the outcome." This quote reflects Clay's naivety at the time and his carefree attitude towards life. However, both his attitude and the country he was coming back to would soon change.

In the years following the Olympics, Clay would transform into Muhammad Ali. He would become more deeply involved with the Nation of Islam and climbed the ranks, aspiring to fight Sonny Liston, who held the title. Along with his growing interest in the Nation, Clay sought guidance from Malcolm X, one of its spiritual leaders. Clay recognized that publicly embracing the Nation of Islam might jeopardize his opportunity to fight Liston for the championship, but he struggled to keep his beliefs hidden. Concealing and lying

were not characteristic of Clay. Eventually, news of his newfound faith would make its way to the media. Additionally, during this period, Ali would have the monumental first fight of his career.

In 1964, Clay embarked on a transformative journey to become Muhammad Ali. However, before his transformation, he had some tasks to attend to. Sonny Liston was expected to easily defeat Clay in their upcoming fight, dismissing Clay's trash talking. Nevertheless, the media's focus on Clay's association with the Nation of Islam intensified the hype around the fight and turned it into a holy war of sorts. As rumors spread, interest in the fight grew. On February 25th, 1964, Clay shocked everyone by not only defeating Liston but also with his powerful words. The day after the fight, he publicly announced his conversion to Islam and affiliation with the Nation of Islam. Reporters swiftly reacted to this announcement. One reporter commented that this could be detrimental for boxing and American youth who need a positive role model ("
This might be the worst thing that ever happened to boxing.This could also be the worst thing that ever happened to the youth of America, as they need a proper role model."). Another prominent boxing writer named Jimmy Cannon attacked Clay by stating that for the first time in history boxing had been transformed into an instrument of mass hate ("
this is the first time boxing has been turned into an instrument of mass hate.It has caused physical harm to many men and ruined their mental well-being"). According to Cannon's perspective, Ali was now using it as a wicked weapon targeting spirituality.
I have sympathy for Clay and

despise his ideology, just like Joe Louis, a famous black boxer from the past. However, Clay's association with the Black Muslims will cause public dislike towards him because of their conflicting beliefs. On the other hand, there will be black individuals who hold diverse opinions on these matters. Jackie Robinson effectively illustrated Ali's actions and how they deeply influenced black communities who found inspiration in him.

Clay spreads the message that more people need to understand: "I am the Greatest," he proclaims. His intention is not for African Americans to think they are superior to others, but rather to recognize their equality with all human beings.
These comments about Clay and his new religion continue to circulate. Shortly after the fight, on March 6, 1964, Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, announces that Cassius Clay's name will now be Muhammad Ali.
This change in name both appeals to certain individuals and instills fear in others. While his name change does not initially gain the recognition he will later receive for his stance against the draft, it does earn him respect. Writer Jill Nelson shares her sentiments at the time: "We were not inclined to join the Nation, but we admired Ali for his act of defiance... We loved Ali because he possessed beauty, power, and spoke boldly. He embodied the emotions of many black people during that time - anger, a sense of entitlement, and a need to surpass expectations... Ali stood up against adversity."
Nelson's statement addresses a significant issue of the decade - black pride and civil rights. Through a simple name and faith change, Ali makes an impactful statement in

the context of the 1960s.

In the midst of Muhammad's new beginnings, Ali's reputation was being boosted by a war that commenced. Vietnam, a war-torn nation located far from the United States, remained unfamiliar to most Americans. However, over time, the American people would realize the need for their involvement in Vietnam as communism posed a threat.

The Vietnam Conflict evolved into a war, resulting in increased American involvement and the deployment of soldiers to southeast Asia. Consequently, protests emerged as a response. On April 17, 1965, Washington, DC witnessed the first major nationwide protest with 25,000 participants marching against the war. This protest was organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), an organization representing radical white youth inspired by the black freedom movement. SDS leaflets expressed concerns about America's use of napalm and defoliation in Vietnam while neglecting poverty and oppression in Mississippi. This protest marked the initial phase of white discontent as disillusioned white youth united with Muhammad Ali's movement.

Initially, Ali remained quiet about the Vietnam issue, focusing primarily on his upcoming fights and his strong commitment to the Nation of Islam. However, the question of Vietnam eventually reached him and sparked a widespread anger among the people.

In 1960, at the age of eighteen, he registered in Louisville for selective service. In 1962, he was classified as 1-A. Two years later, shortly before the Liston fight, he received orders to report to an army induction center in Coral Gables for physical and written examinations administered to all draftees. Unfortunately, he performed poorly on the fifty-minute aptitude test and his score reflected an IQ of 78, rendering him ineligible for active service at that time.

News quickly spread that Ali had avoided military duty by failing his induction test, which generated a significant reaction similar to the attention he received when he converted. Members of the government, including South Carolina Congressman L. Mendel Rivers, began advocating for Ali's reclassification. Congressmen Rivers embarked on a tour voicing his outrage, stating that Ali's deferment was an insult to those serving in the armed forces. He questioned why someone who was smart enough to finish high school, write poetry, achieve worldwide recognition, earn a million dollars a year, and drive fancy cars would be deemed "too dumb" to serve in the military. J. Edgar Hoover himself took a keen interest in drafting the young black Muslim convert, as Hoover perceived their group as militias posing a genuine threat to the United States. After thoroughly investigating Ali's past, even Hoover eventually believed that Ali had genuinely failed the test. The matter lay dormant until 1966.Shortly after his bout with Floyd Patterson, he would commence his battle against the United States Government.

Now the issue of the draft had been one that Ali's religion had been strongly opposed to. Elijah Muhammad's own son was drafted but refused to go on the grounds of being a conscientious objector. This provision was introduced by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to address the concern of Quakers. Elijah's son, Wallace, asserted that he was a minister of the Muslim faith. However, this was disregarded and Wallace was given a three-year prison sentence for rejecting the draft. This would later be reminiscent of Ali's own experience.

Ali comprehended the Nation's stance and historical context, as well as the hypocrisy surrounding black involvement in

US foreign conflicts. His comrade Malcolm X framed the participation of African Americans in the Vietnam war in a manner that could be justified:

"I refuse to fight for this country in war. The most impactful step black men could have taken after the Birmingham bombings would have been to send back all draft notices to the Defense Department until those accountable for the bombings were identified and penalized. As long as I am treated as an inferior citizen, I will behave as a second-class patriot."

These words held great power but were not entirely unreasonable for African Americans. Now it was Ali's turn to align himself with others who opposed the war.

During the rise of movements like SDS and SNCC in 1966, Ali found himself in a Miami apartment with reporter Robert Lipsyte from the New York Times. This was also a time when monks were using self-immolation as a form of protest. On that day, it was revealed that Ali's draft status had been changed to 1-A, making him eligible for conscription. Lipsyte offers further information on the events that unfolded.

There were rumors that an army convoy was on its way to pick up Muhammad Ali and take him to Vietnam. Journalists arrived, asking questions about Vietnam and the Vietcong. The fever of the questions grew and he responded tired, angry, pissed off with the quote "I ain't got nothing against them Vietcong."#

Looking back at the Pentagon Papers, Kent State, and the March on the Pentagon, these words can now be seen as noble. However, at the time, Ali was labeled a traitor and an American hater. His rebellious character, initially

fueled by racial motivations, would now encompass a wider range of causes.# Afterward, Ali stated, "I'm a member of the Black Muslims and we don't go to no wars unless declared by Allah himself."# Despite these comments, the nerve across America had already been struck.

The phones at Ali's place in Miami were constantly ringing a few hours later. Ali remembers one of the phone calls:

"Muhammad, Cassius--whatever you call yourself, I heard you on TV!" he shouted. "You cowardly, turncoat black rat! If I had a bomb I would blow you to hell! I've got a message for you and your kind!"

Others said, "You gonna die, nigger, before the night's out!"# However, on the other hand, Ali remembered another side of the controversy.

In the days that followed, I received calls from various cities including Kansas City, Omaha, St.Louis, Las Vegas, New York, and Philly. These calls came from different individuals, ranging from housewives and professionals to everyday people. They thanked me for what I said and urged me to come and speak at different campuses.

It was an unfamiliar and unexpected feeling as I found myself as an integral part of a movement that I hardly even knew existed. Ali discovered in 1966 that he was in the minority when it came to the issue of Vietnam. However, he was just the first among many American celebrities who voiced their opinion on the senselessness of the war and garnered attention necessary to initiate a movement.

Ali's response to the draft became a significant boost to the anti-war movement. As a heavyweight boxer, he was not unfamiliar to the

American working class; rather, he stood as an icon of masculine dominance similar to how Miss America represented feminine subservience. However,some individuals seized upon Ali's quote as a symbol of treason.This quote was employed by state governments, boxing commissioners, veterans groups, and editorial writers to instill fear. Ali's actions were seen as encouraging young people to ignore their responsibilities to their country, which became a widespread association with Ali. Consequently, he was eventually banned from boxing in his own country. Due to these sentiments, Ali had no choice but to pursue his boxing career in other countries since he faced an almost official boycott from his homeland.

During the year 1966, Ali viewed it as a time of hardship and personal growth. He expressed to Lipsyte that great individuals such as Jesus, Moses, Noah, Elijah, and Martin Luther King have all endured suffering and paid the price to become great. Ali questioned why he had to face so many challenges. This quote holds great power as he boasts about his significance, which was eventually proven true. He believed he had a divine destiny and his purpose was to raise awareness. In a figurative sense, Ali saw himself as a sacrificial lamb among celebrities in relation to the Vietnam issue, taking action that others lacked the bravery for. His character development took place when he had to travel for his fights during the boycott. Reporters incessantly heckled him on the topic of Vietnam, yet he continued to vocalize his stance. Overseas, the Vietnam War was widely opposed, similar to the current situation in Iraq. Ali's outspokenness made him immensely appealing to foreign intellectuals, students, political leaders, and

not just boxing fans. As the anti-war movement expanded, so did Ali's role as an advocate. However, regardless of his international popularity, he still had to face consequences upon returning home.

During his travels, Alis legal team actively sought ways to exempt him from the draft by deeply immersing themselves in the teachings of the Quran and the Nation of Islam. They submitted a request for conscientious objector status, relying on these teachings. On August 23, 1966, Ali appeared before a special judicial hearing where he defended his stance. Ali emphasized that upon hearing Elijah Muhammads words, he instantly became a conscientious objector. Additionally, Ali remarked,
"If it was not against my conscience, I would readily accept conscientious objector status and engage in boxing exhibitions in Vietnam or travel the country at the governments expense, enjoying a comfortable life without having to face the hardships of combat....The speaker expresses their unwillingness to engage in legal battles and lose the millions of dollars they have already sacrificed, as well as the damage to their public image. They emphasize their sincerity in following the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which instruct against participating in wars unless declared by Allah. Judge Lawrence Grauman rules that Ali's objection to war on religious grounds is genuine. However, the Justice Department disputes this, claiming that Ali's objection is rooted in race and politics. They use FBI information to support their argument. This opposition leads to Ali's classification as 1-A being upheld by the Kentucky appeal board. The government's actions can be seen as an attempt to forcibly draft Ali and make him an example, given his

defiance as a Black Muslim during the turbulent 1960s. As 1967 begins, opposition to the Vietnam War grows.Anti-war sentiment would rapidly spread across Europe, while in the United States, another advocate against the draft, Martin Luther King, emerged. King argued that the promises of the Great Society had been undermined in the Vietnam War. In February, the war crimes tribunal led by Bertrand Russell shed light on American atrocities in Vietnam. Despite mounting casualties and growing doubts, a majority of Americans still believed in the justness of the war. Meanwhile, Muhammad Ali voiced his opinions on the war and civil rights, gaining global recognition as a heroic figure. On April 28, 1967, Ali took a significant step by refusing to be inducted into the draft in Houston. This action garnered both support and opposition from protestors. Consequently, Ali faced severe consequences and lost his title, along with any opportunity to fight again. Moreover, he faced the possibility of a five-year jail sentence that typically awaited draft evaders.

The opportunity arose for him to become the champion of people and their rights. After declining it, Ali would travel around the country speaking to audiences at Universities. At the University of Chicago, he addressed a diverse crowd, saying "I have not lost anything. I have gained the respect of thousands globally and peace of mind." However, he also faced indictment by a grand jury and was found guilty of dodging the draft.

The Supreme Court trial of Cassius Clay (aka. Muhammad Ali) against The United States of America had a profound impact on various individuals. It sparked fear in some, as they realized that the government's treatment of Ali

meant they too could become targets. However, for others, Ali's struggle served as a rallying cry to fight against government injustices and defend moral righteousness.

At the same time, while facing trial, Ali found himself exiled from boxing which resulted in the loss of friends, fame, and wealth. In the midst of this turmoil, the situation in Vietnam continued to deteriorate. The Tet Offensive in 1968 shattered illusions about an imminent end to the conflict and highlighted through extensive news coverage the harrowing experiences American soldiers endured. With casualties reaching tens of thousands, public opinion shifted dramatically leading to increased protests and demonstrations.

During 1967-1971, Ali extensively traveled attending rallies and meetings nationwide. Throughout this period, he transformed from being a social outcast into a prominent figure within society. In 1971, his conscientious objector status was upheld by the Supreme Court further affirming his justified stance against war.

Ali did not require the Supreme Court's intervention to feel justified. Despite America undergoing change throughout the 1960s, Ali's message remained constant. He believed that certain aspects of the era were righteous and fair, and that society would eventually align with his mindset. Norman Mailer aptly described him as the embodiment of the 20th Century. Furthermore, Ali serves as a symbol for personal development and unwavering moral beliefs.