Thursday, January 14, 2010
Blog Introduction
Hello and welcome to our blog. We are Nick Corcoran and Garrett Kirker in the Facing History and Ourselves class. This blog is a part of our Making a Difference project. For the assignment we had to choose someone in the world that was born before 1970 that has made a difference in the world. Our person of choice is Muhammad Ali. His actions, in and out of the ring have changed the way the world views athletes. We have chosen topics that we believe have allowed Muhammad Ali to become a difference maker in the world we live in today.
Muhammad Ali Biography
Making a Difference Project: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was the first of his kind. He was loud talking, flamboyant, strong willed, and a difference maker.
His impact in and out of the ring has changed people’s lives, from how he stood up against the Supreme Court, to opening his own center for underprivileged kids. Ali allowed people to believe that they could make a difference for themselves. He expressed himself in a way athletes before him hadn’t done, publicly changing his religion which allowed him to evade the Army draft for the Vietnam War. Muhammad Ali has spent his life making a difference for people in America, from how we see our athletes, to how we view their affect on our society.
In the world of boxing, even thirty years after his last fight, Muhammad Ali is still talked about frequently in many circles in America. “He’s still the most recognizable man on earth.” (The Man: Leader). Ali changed the way people viewed an athlete, especially a boxer. Ali’s boxing style was a combination of being light on his feet, and quick with his punches which allowed him to almost never get hit by his opponents. “He believed that if a boxer had speed and agility he need never get hit.” (Garrett 15). Ali’s style in the ring changed how many young boxers fought.
In today’s boxing rings even the heavyweight fighters are quick on their feet, while they’re punches land in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t just Ali’s style of boxing that made a difference, but also his cultivating speeches. .
Ali had a way with words that no other athlete of his time had. His speeches would be load, rhyming, and intimidating. At the same time he would joke about his opponent to the media. His “wit changed forever what the public expected a champion to be.” (The Man: Champion). Ali was a shocking character that the world had not seen before. “Ali’s flamboyant style of boasting and rhyming and outspoken self-promotion garnered considerable media attention” (Byers 156). The attention he drew from the media created a buzz around his fights. Ali was his own promoter in a way; he realized that more media coverage meant more money. His large media coverage made young kids become more interested in becoming boxers. His wealth and fame were reasons why kids were drawn to him.
Muhammad Ali was a hero to most. He changed the sport of boxing as a whole. His actions correlating with his religion changed how people viewed Muhammad Ali. The impact religion had on his life drastically changed how people saw him. His new religious beliefs convinced him to change his name from Cassius Clay, to Muhammad Ali. To break down his new name it goes, Muhammad means “one worthy of praise”, and his last name, Ali, means, “being the name of a cousin to the prophet. (1998 MUHAMMAD ALI). Ali wasn’t always a part of the Islam religion. Soon after he began his career in boxing, he changed his religion and joined the Nation of Islam. He became the face of the Nation of Islam along with his friend Malcolm X. He was a follower of Malcolm X who was a part of the same religion of Islam. As an American Muslim he did not agree with terrorism. He was absolutely against it. He stated that Islam is a religion of peace, “Islam does not promote terrorism or the killing of people. (Muhammad Ali: G.O.A.T.) He was really into helping others when the September 11th attacks happened. His religion had a big role in his life after he joined. Part of his religion believes in no violence. Being a boxer created a lot of controversy in the non violent aspect. As a result of this, Ali was kicked out of The Nation of Islam. Muhammad Ali didn’t believe in it throughout his life so he evaded the Vietnam Conflict. He was sentenced to five years for opting not to serve in the Vietnam Conflict. Due to this he lost three years fighting in the boxing ring. (Muhammad Ali: In And Out Of the Wilderness).
During the 1960s sports and politics in America weren’t seen on the same level, sports were a way for people to escape the escalating political changes that were happening in America. Muhammad Ali was the athlete who changed how everyone viewed sports and politics. Ali did so by challenging the American army for enlisting him even though he failed their tests. His battle out of the ring brought Ali closer to the citizens of America, creating the lasting image of Ali not only being a sports icon, but a political icon. When Ali decided to fight the army’s decision to draft him there became this new idea of who Muhammad Ali was. Ali became a political icon for many African Americans in American society, he was standing up for what not only he believed, but what many African Americans believed. Once his case was taken to the Supreme Court and Ali won, he gained this status of untouchable to many. He gave African Americans hope for equality in American during a time where war and violence was everywhere. With the movement in America during the 1960s to make whites and blacks equal, Ali was the popular athlete who put the race of African Americans on his back. He stood up for all African Americans when he said, “No Vietcong ever called me nigger.” (Ali) Ali’s statements were loud and true, forcing people to look at his argument. One of the main reasons why Ali didn’t want to go to war in Vietnam was because his people couldn’t get the support from his own country, the United States. He raised a question such as, so why should he put his life on the line for them (white people) to live free, if he isn’t allowed to live free himself? Being a sports icon allowed Ali to voice his opinion about politics on television broadcasts such as on NBC with Howard Cosell. When Ali decided to fight the army’s decision to draft him, there became this new idea of who Muhammad Ali was. Ali began fighting the Supreme Court for the right to not join the army and fight in the Vietnam War.
Ali has made an impact on people after his boxing days were behind him as well. His battle with Parkinson’s disease has allowed him to extend a hand to others who are affected by the same disease. During his boxing career Ali slowly progressed into Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed in 1984 at the age of 42; it took 3 years for the disease to be diagnosed. There is a theory that this is due to the amount of blows to the head he took. It is now stated that Ali is now unable to speak in public. (Muhammad Ali and his battle). He continues to help others with his disease while he is still trying to beat the disease that has taken so much from him. He supports the foundations for “AIDS, Children, Family/Parent Support, Health, Homelessness, Human Rights, Hunger, Literacy, Mental Challenges, Miscellaneous, Physical Challenges, and Poverty.” (Muhammad Ali's Charity). He has an excellent work ethic to help people of need. He is the founder of the World Organization for Right, Liberty and Dignity. He recently visited Iraq to secure hostages. To help those struggling with their situations in life Ali recently established The Muhammad Ali Center, in Louisville Kentucky. Today Ali is seen as a man who didn’t allow his freedom of speech to be taken away during a time when he needed it most. Standing up for his religious beliefs has allowed people to stand up against what they don’t agree with. He is one of many famous people who opened the doors for African Americans. Other than being known as an African American icon he is known as the best boxer of all time. He truly is a fine American.
He is the founder of the World Organization for Right, Liberty and Dignity. He recently visited Iraq to secure to return of hostages. He recently established The Muhammad Ali Center, in Louisville Kentucky. He still donates to charities and is known as the best boxer of all time. He is known as a good role model, but most importantly a fine American. This is how Mohammed Ali made a difference in the world.
Muhammad Ali was the first of his kind. He was loud talking, flamboyant, strong willed, and a difference maker.
His impact in and out of the ring has changed people’s lives, from how he stood up against the Supreme Court, to opening his own center for underprivileged kids. Ali allowed people to believe that they could make a difference for themselves. He expressed himself in a way athletes before him hadn’t done, publicly changing his religion which allowed him to evade the Army draft for the Vietnam War. Muhammad Ali has spent his life making a difference for people in America, from how we see our athletes, to how we view their affect on our society. 
In the world of boxing, even thirty years after his last fight, Muhammad Ali is still talked about frequently in many circles in America. “He’s still the most recognizable man on earth.” (The Man: Leader). Ali changed the way people viewed an athlete, especially a boxer. Ali’s boxing style was a combination of being light on his feet, and quick with his punches which allowed him to almost never get hit by his opponents. “He believed that if a boxer had speed and agility he need never get hit.” (Garrett 15). Ali’s style in the ring changed how many young boxers fought.
In today’s boxing rings even the heavyweight fighters are quick on their feet, while they’re punches land in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t just Ali’s style of boxing that made a difference, but also his cultivating speeches. .
Ali had a way with words that no other athlete of his time had. His speeches would be load, rhyming, and intimidating. At the same time he would joke about his opponent to the media. His “wit changed forever what the public expected a champion to be.” (The Man: Champion). Ali was a shocking character that the world had not seen before. “Ali’s flamboyant style of boasting and rhyming and outspoken self-promotion garnered considerable media attention” (Byers 156). The attention he drew from the media created a buzz around his fights. Ali was his own promoter in a way; he realized that more media coverage meant more money. His large media coverage made young kids become more interested in becoming boxers. His wealth and fame were reasons why kids were drawn to him. 
Muhammad Ali was a hero to most. He changed the sport of boxing as a whole. His actions correlating with his religion changed how people viewed Muhammad Ali. The impact religion had on his life drastically changed how people saw him. His new religious beliefs convinced him to change his name from Cassius Clay, to Muhammad Ali. To break down his new name it goes, Muhammad means “one worthy of praise”, and his last name, Ali, means, “being the name of a cousin to the prophet. (1998 MUHAMMAD ALI). Ali wasn’t always a part of the Islam religion. Soon after he began his career in boxing, he changed his religion and joined the Nation of Islam. He became the face of the Nation of Islam along with his friend Malcolm X. He was a follower of Malcolm X who was a part of the same religion of Islam. As an American Muslim he did not agree with terrorism. He was absolutely against it. He stated that Islam is a religion of peace, “Islam does not promote terrorism or the killing of people. (Muhammad Ali: G.O.A.T.) He was really into helping others when the September 11th attacks happened. His religion had a big role in his life after he joined. Part of his religion believes in no violence. Being a boxer created a lot of controversy in the non violent aspect. As a result of this, Ali was kicked out of The Nation of Islam. Muhammad Ali didn’t believe in it throughout his life so he evaded the Vietnam Conflict. He was sentenced to five years for opting not to serve in the Vietnam Conflict. Due to this he lost three years fighting in the boxing ring. (Muhammad Ali: In And Out Of the Wilderness).
During the 1960s sports and politics in America weren’t seen on the same level, sports were a way for people to escape the escalating political changes that were happening in America. Muhammad Ali was the athlete who changed how everyone viewed sports and politics. Ali did so by challenging the American army for enlisting him even though he failed their tests. His battle out of the ring brought Ali closer to the citizens of America, creating the lasting image of Ali not only being a sports icon, but a political icon. When Ali decided to fight the army’s decision to draft him there became this new idea of who Muhammad Ali was. Ali became a political icon for many African Americans in American society, he was standing up for what not only he believed, but what many African Americans believed. Once his case was taken to the Supreme Court and Ali won, he gained this status of untouchable to many. He gave African Americans hope for equality in American during a time where war and violence was everywhere. With the movement in America during the 1960s to make whites and blacks equal, Ali was the popular athlete who put the race of African Americans on his back. He stood up for all African Americans when he said, “No Vietcong ever called me nigger.” (Ali) Ali’s statements were loud and true, forcing people to look at his argument. One of the main reasons why Ali didn’t want to go to war in Vietnam was because his people couldn’t get the support from his own country, the United States. He raised a question such as, so why should he put his life on the line for them (white people) to live free, if he isn’t allowed to live free himself? Being a sports icon allowed Ali to voice his opinion about politics on television broadcasts such as on NBC with Howard Cosell. When Ali decided to fight the army’s decision to draft him, there became this new idea of who Muhammad Ali was. Ali began fighting the Supreme Court for the right to not join the army and fight in the Vietnam War.
Ali has made an impact on people after his boxing days were behind him as well. His battle with Parkinson’s disease has allowed him to extend a hand to others who are affected by the same disease. During his boxing career Ali slowly progressed into Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed in 1984 at the age of 42; it took 3 years for the disease to be diagnosed. There is a theory that this is due to the amount of blows to the head he took. It is now stated that Ali is now unable to speak in public. (Muhammad Ali and his battle). He continues to help others with his disease while he is still trying to beat the disease that has taken so much from him. He supports the foundations for “AIDS, Children, Family/Parent Support, Health, Homelessness, Human Rights, Hunger, Literacy, Mental Challenges, Miscellaneous, Physical Challenges, and Poverty.” (Muhammad Ali's Charity). He has an excellent work ethic to help people of need. He is the founder of the World Organization for Right, Liberty and Dignity. He recently visited Iraq to secure hostages. To help those struggling with their situations in life Ali recently established The Muhammad Ali Center, in Louisville Kentucky. Today Ali is seen as a man who didn’t allow his freedom of speech to be taken away during a time when he needed it most. Standing up for his religious beliefs has allowed people to stand up against what they don’t agree with. He is one of many famous people who opened the doors for African Americans. Other than being known as an African American icon he is known as the best boxer of all time. He truly is a fine American.
He is the founder of the World Organization for Right, Liberty and Dignity. He recently visited Iraq to secure to return of hostages. He recently established The Muhammad Ali Center, in Louisville Kentucky. He still donates to charities and is known as the best boxer of all time. He is known as a good role model, but most importantly a fine American. This is how Mohammed Ali made a difference in the world.
Work Cited
Work Cited
"1998 MUHAMMAD ALI."
2000. C.T. Evans, 7 Jan 2010.
Ashe, Jr., Arthur R. A Hard Road To Glory. New York, New York: Warner Books, Inc,
1998.
"Charity biography." Muhammad Ali's Charity Work, Events and Causes. Look To The
Stars, 12 Jan 2010.
Cummings, Dennis. "Religious Opposition Leads Ali to Draft Evasion." On This Day:
Muhammad Ali Convicted of Draft Evasion. 20 June 2009. 9 Jan 2010.
Garrett, Leslie. The Story of Muhammad Ali. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley
Readers, 2002.
Hauser Thomas, Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1991.
“Islam is a religion of Peace, Not Terror.” Media Monitors Network. 2001. 10 Jan 2010
.
“The Man: Champion.” 2008. The official site of Muhammad Ali. 3 Jan. 2010;
“The Man: Leader.” 2008. The official site of Muhammad Ali. 5 Jan. 2010;
4. Muhammad Ali accepting the Religion of Islam. Google images. Muhammad Ali. [On-
line Image] 30 December 2009.
“Muhammad Ali.” Biography.com. 2010. 3 Jan.2010;
“Muhammad Ali.” Current Biography. 1978 ed.
“Muhammad Ali.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1998 ed.
1. Muhammad Ali. Google Images. Muhammad Ali. [Online Image] 11 January 2010.
2. Muhammad Ali. Google Images. Muhammad Ali. [Online Image]. 11 January 2010.
“Muhammad Ali- In And Out Of The Wilderness.” 2010. Timeline of Muhammad Ali’s Life.
2 Jan. 2010.
"Muhammad Ali." n.d. Muhammad Ali G.O.A.T. 8 Jan 2010.
5. Muhammad Ali walking out of court after found guilty of refusing to be inducted
into the U.S. Army. Google Images. Muhammad Ali Supreme Court. [Online
Image] 11 January 2010.
3. Poster For “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Google images. Muhammad Ali Rumble in the
Jungle. [On-line Image] 30 December 2009.
"1998 MUHAMMAD ALI."
2000. C.T. Evans, 7 Jan 2010.
Ashe, Jr., Arthur R. A Hard Road To Glory. New York, New York: Warner Books, Inc,
1998.
"Charity biography." Muhammad Ali's Charity Work, Events and Causes. Look To The
Stars, 12 Jan 2010.
Cummings, Dennis. "Religious Opposition Leads Ali to Draft Evasion." On This Day:
Muhammad Ali Convicted of Draft Evasion. 20 June 2009. 9 Jan 2010.
Garrett, Leslie. The Story of Muhammad Ali. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley
Readers, 2002.
Hauser Thomas, Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1991.
“Islam is a religion of Peace, Not Terror.” Media Monitors Network. 2001. 10 Jan 2010
.
“The Man: Champion.” 2008. The official site of Muhammad Ali. 3 Jan. 2010;
“The Man: Leader.” 2008. The official site of Muhammad Ali. 5 Jan. 2010;
4. Muhammad Ali accepting the Religion of Islam. Google images. Muhammad Ali. [On-
line Image] 30 December 2009.
“Muhammad Ali.” Biography.com. 2010. 3 Jan.2010;
“Muhammad Ali.” Current Biography. 1978 ed.
“Muhammad Ali.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1998 ed.
1. Muhammad Ali. Google Images. Muhammad Ali. [Online Image] 11 January 2010.
2. Muhammad Ali. Google Images. Muhammad Ali. [Online Image]. 11 January 2010.
“Muhammad Ali- In And Out Of The Wilderness.” 2010. Timeline of Muhammad Ali’s Life.
2 Jan. 2010.
"Muhammad Ali." n.d. Muhammad Ali G.O.A.T. 8 Jan 2010.
5. Muhammad Ali walking out of court after found guilty of refusing to be inducted
into the U.S. Army. Google Images. Muhammad Ali Supreme Court. [Online
Image] 11 January 2010.
3. Poster For “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Google images. Muhammad Ali Rumble in the
Jungle. [On-line Image] 30 December 2009.
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