When Muhammad Ali yelled, “I’m so pretty!” early in his career, he was not just talking about himself, but of the entire black race. Beyond his reputation as the world’s greatest boxer, Ali was a symbol of leadership, strength and power for blacks. He is a man who stood up for what he believed in and what he thought was right. He brought pride to blacks, not only because he had become “champion of the world,” but for also standing up to the injustices of American society during the Civil-Rights era.
In 1967, the Vietnam War interrupted Ali’s career. He was inducted into the military but refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. While some Americans praised Ali for risking prison to stand up for his beliefs, others called him a draft dodger and traitor. The government charged him with violating the Selective Service Act. His titles were taken from him, and he was not allowed to box on the professional circuit.
After a long court battle, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in jail and fined $10,000. In another lawsuit in 1970, a judge ruled that Ali could still box professionally.
Ali’s message of black pride and black resistance to white domination was on the cutting edge of the civil-rights movement. Having refused induction into the U.S. Army, he also stood for the proposition that “unless you have a very good reason to kill, war is wrong.” His beliefs inspired both blacks and whites who were against the war.
Ali’s legend in and out the ring has made him a symbol in American history. For blacks, he was a man who gave them courage and strength to keep reaching for what is right.