Ali.... - Hero of the free peoples

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

I recently read an article by a "Socialist" writer here in the UK. He was writing about the great boxer Muhammed Ali and his political actions.

For me, Muhammed Ali is one of the biggest true heroes of the last century. Though we look back on heroic men such as Castro, Che, Lenin, Gandhi, Martin Luther King etc, Ali was a hero to so many more people, in more ways than one.

I suppose my point is, the previously mentioned legends were somewhat one-dimensional in their heroism. Ali was a hero to sports fans. A hero to blacks. A hero to Muslims. And a hero to all those in the fight against injustice.

In the article I speak of, this "Socialist" writer claims that Muhammed Ali is an over-hyped, over exaggerated hero. To society, he claims, Ali's actions provided "limited inspiration in the fight against all that is wrong". The author acknowledged Ali's awkward position, and went on to say that he "sold-out" to the powers. Also, Ali's love of his religion is slammed. The author claimed that Ali did everything he did for his own satisfaction and for Islam (Nation Of).

These claims, I find quite ludicrous.

Muhammed Ali's defiance and fight against injustice is something we should all look to for inspiration.

Firstly, his sporting accolades speak for themselves.

But his political actions were huge. Changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammed Ali was the first of these major acts of course. The author in this article fails to mention this. Standing up for himself and shedding the slave name given to him by the racist Americans was an amazing thing to do, especially considering it was against the wishes of his family and many fans who were also discontent with the N.O.I.

Ali's rejection of the draft is, for me, the most amazing move he took. Risking imprisonment and an end to his career as the world's greatest sportsman, refusing to go with the army to fight in Vietnam was one of th eboldest steps ever taken by anyone, especially considering the limelight Ali was in. I'm sure, if all of those soldiers that fought in Vietnam had the balls that Ali had, half of them would have made this move too. It was one of the greatest injustices of the century and Ali's public rejection of it provides huge inspiration for anyone.

Then of course, Ali was a hero to America's suffering black folk. When he was asked by he was refusing draft, his answer..."Ain't no Viet Cong ever called me 'nigger'". Ali embarrassed the American powers. He is a hero for black people because of his fight for their freedom in America. He always said he was fighting for his "little black brothers and sisters".

From what Ali did, can anyone else possibly agree with this barmy "Socialist" author who's article I read?

"The Greatest" for sure.

[bluerev002]

Agreed, Ali was a hero for many and he had great guts to say "Ain't no Viet Cong ever called me 'nigger'" is just genius!

Also, if you speak of great heroes that arent mentioned here often, I would have to say another if Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the majors. He was certanly a heroe to many and an inspiration to many more.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Of course. And Jesse Owens.

People often don't give enough acknowledgment to sports personalities. But we must realise that sport touches many more people than plain ol' politics and thus, such sports people breaking boundaries and paving the path of justice will reach more of the regular folk of this world.

[bluerev002]

Agree 100%

[elijahcraig]

The Vietcong quote alone would put him up there with Gandhi!

[Inti]

A rock solid guy Ali...

[Sabocat]

U$ boxing has never really been the same without him either. His speed and athleticism in the heavy weight class has still yet to be duplicated IMO.

[Reuben]

Sounds like the author might be talking some sense.



As a socialist i find it hard to heroise a man who publically joined an organsation such as the NOI, an incredibl reactionary organisation which has attacked not only the WASP community but also minority ethnic groups in America.

I actually get sick of the left heroising pop- culture figures who may have been charismatic but were politcally unsound and contributed less than many who go unnoticed

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Typical. Picking holes.

Why do so many people on this board always look at the ONE negative instead of the dozens of positives. Even a negative one which isn't as relevant as you make it sound. Ali wasn't as Nation as, for example, Malcolm was at one point. He didn't go around preaching saying how great "The Honourable" Elijah Muhammed was.

He joined because he needed a way out of the sick racist culture that existed. I'm not saying that the NOI is good. I hate them. But what sort of social or political education did Ali have?

And besides, like Malcolm, he came to learn that he was in the wrong. He had doubts about the Nation the moment they suspended Malcolm and that wasn't long after he joined. You cannot possibly say that this little negative outweighs the positives.

[Urban Rubble]

I agree with Reuben.

Ali was a great man, but I don't think he is as important as people make him out to be. Not nearly.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Quote: from Reuben on 3:05 pm on July 17, 2003

I actually get sick of the left heroising pop- culture figures who may have been charismatic but were politcally unsound and contributed less than many who go unnoticed


Well I actually get sick when, because a man is idolised by more than, say, 2 million people, he instantly becomes just a "pop hero" and not a real one.

I actually get sick when people only think a person warrants being a true hero when fewer people idolise him than the next man.

[bluerev002]

I would have to agree with Socialismo o Muerte,

Sure Ali was part of NOI and all but what man doesnt do wrong things?

[Reuben]

OK irecognise that was peripheral but iam stll not convinced he was a genuine socialist.

Of course he was anti oppression, but so are lots of people. What istinguishes those who socialists should celebrae is the kind of solution they propose.

S o M was right that i should not attack him to much as an individual for his decision to join the NOI. While it is a decision i would no support, it is very understanble that Ali and other banks wowuld be attraced to the kindo f nationlism they espoused given the climate in which blacks lived.


And btw i refferred to hm as a pop culture figure, not because of the number of fans he had but because f what he renownwed fo, not for building a revolution not for leading any marches or protests like like Martin luther kng did, but for hitting another guy, probably also from a poor black background, round the head .

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Reuben...have you read a post in here which I have apparently missed or something?

Nobody suggested he was a Socialist. Nobody suggested he created a revolution. People do not needto be Socialists to be heroes. They also do not need to lead a revolution to be heroes.

[elijahcraig]

http://www.cmi.k12.il.us/~capiech/thoreau/images/malcolm.gif

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Why did you post that?

[Vinny Rafarino]

I agree Rubble. Many people refused the draft. Many blacks, whites, browns, etc. His boxing skill thus makes his refusal to go to war more relevant than any other black man who did not have a million dollars? I think not. I personally think Ali is one of the greatest boxers of all time, however is he a hero to the working class. Not a chance.

If Roy Jones Jr. bulks up to cruiser weight, he could easily take Ali in his prime.

[Reuben]

agreed comrade raf/ Argubly it is easier to refuse the draft when it is a public act for which you are supported. The private decisions made by many working class americans, knowing that their career prospects may be genuinely fucked up, that they didnt have a famous and lucratie career tofall bck on, were arguabl much more heroic

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Ali put his whole life and career on the line for what he did. I'm not saying anyone else refusing draft wasn't as good, but he had more at stake.

And he was the greatest boxer. You just are trying to be non-conformist.

[Rastafari]

To bring Ali (one of the best men of the century) to a greater light, I will raise an old post from the dead...

[Vinny Rafarino]

I am not trying to be a non-conformist comrade. Roy Jones Jr. is a much better boxer that Ali. That is fact. I would Roy easily takes the title of "Pound for Pound" greatest boxer of all time. At light heavyweight, it is almost certain Roy would tear apart Ali in his prime. At Cruiser Weight it is absolutely certain.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Not that this is a debate on boxing, but Ali would be too quick and too powerful for Roy Jones Jnr. Legend though he is, he is not in Ali's league. He's not even in George Foreman's league, well, post-Ali-humiliation George Foreman anyway.

And hey, even is Jones Jnr would maybe be a bit quicker than Ali on the night, Ali could just play rope-a-dope again.

Ali can fight ANY kind of bout. Something Roy Jones couldn't do.