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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2001)
Feature __________________L WEdNEsdAy, FEbßUAP.y 21, 2001 TklE ClÂckAMAS P rìnt February is Black History Month Muhammad Ali: fighter for freedom fighting Sonny Liston for the heavy weight championship of the world. Although his amateur career had been successful, the 22-year-old Clay was a relative unknown going into his bout with Liston. Intent on making Liston believe that he was crazy, Clay’s behavior was erratic before the fight. The rhythmic and harsh tone of Clay’s voice prompted sports writers to nickname him “The Louisville Lip.” Many felt Cassius’ crazed look and verbal barbs were further evidence that he was all style and little substance. But that night, Clay entered the ring in Miami and beat Sonny Liston. In a time when ESPN and the Internet didn’t exist, news of the vic tory didn’t spread instantly. But by the next morning, Cassius Clay had RYAN BRINKLEY not only be come the world heavy On Feb. 25,1964 in Miami Beach, weightcham less than 2,500 boxing fans wit pion, but nessed the triumph of an athlete and also the Na the birth of a legend, Cassius Clay, tion of better known as Muhammad Ali. Islam’s most When he was a young boy grow famous ing up in Kentucky, Cassius Clay member. was the victim of a crime. Another Through child had stolen his bicycle. The out his train 12-year-old Cassius, angered by the ing for the theft, ran down a local police officer fight, Clay and asked for help. The officer, who was accom was also an amateur boxing trainer, panied by told Cassius that he would teach him Malcolm X, to fight so that he could better de then a high- fend himself and his property. ranking offi Little did the officer know that 10 cial in the years later, Cassius Clay would be Nation of Is lam. The Ali at Howard University, Washington DC, 1967. internet photograph / howard bingham morning af The statement would echo free speech. Support for his Su ter beating Liston, Clay confirmed through the growing anti-war move preme Court case deepened. Even that he was a member of the religion. ment Many in the media would chas some writers, who a decade before On March 6, Black Muslim leader, Elijah Muhammad, announced that tise Ali for speaking out against the had criticized his political state ments, began to support Ali. Cassius Clay’s name was one that war. During that time, perhaps the only Ali also continued his fight to re lacked meaning and gave him the Muslim name, Muhammad Ali, thing stronger than Muhammad gain the championship. In 1970, he was allowed to fight again which meant “worthy of praise.” Ali’s bark was his bite. He would punish other in New York. And in 1971, Many white Americans feared the fighters with his light Ali stepped into the ring Nation of Islam and characterized it with then champion, Joe as a “separatist hate religion.” In ning fast jab and mes rid quarrel merizing foot-speed. Fraizer. Ali lost in what the coming years, Ali’s association with them many called “The Fight of with the religion and his outspoken Ali would successfully defend the title nine Viet Cong. ” the Century.” The bout nature led many to despise him. was so exciting that one In 1966, Ali spoke out in opposi times before he met his Muhammad Ali spectator actually died of tion to the escalated conflict in Viet most powerful oppo nent. a heart attack. nam. On April 28,1967 Ali After the fight, in June of “I ain’t got no quarrel with them claimed exemption from military ser that year, the Supreme Court ruled Ali lighting the torch at the 1996 Olympics, Atlanta, Georgia. Viet Cong.” vice as a minister of a Black Muslim in Ali’s favor granting him the right sect and refused induction into mili to refuse military service. tary service. The government re The classic fight dubbed, “The fused his request for exemption and Rumble in the Jungle” etched an he was convicted for refusing mili other chapter in Ali’s legacy. Ali be tary orders. came the second man only to regain “I have searched my conscience the heavyweight title by knocking and I find I cannot be true to my out George Foreman in 1974. belief in my religion by accepting Ali successfully defended his such a call.” title 10 times in 3 ’A years before he The boxing associations sus lost it to Leon Spinks on Feb. 15, pended his license and stripped him 1978. Seven months later, he would of his title. Convicted in the criminal defeat Spinks regaining the heavy prosecution two months later, Ali weight championship for a record third time. On June 27,1979, Muhammad Completing yourcollege edt Ali announced his retirement though he came back for two fights The Linfield College Adult Degree Program "I find I cannot be in the early eighties and lost them throughout the region—which means you can earn your bachelor's de true to my belief in both. B^^^Bi^^tificat^^;i"fe:h6^e, in evJBngs and on wefijphds. Jp | For many of us, the lasting im my religion by accept age of Muhammad Ali came from You've been waiting fair the right opportunity tp finish your education. ing such a call.” the 1996 Olympics. Stricken by the With Linfield, the opportunity is now! effects of Parkinson’s disease and Muhammad Ali unable to control its characteristic as Is r ■■■ I bf ” on refusing induction Increase your income possibilities. Realize your potential. Mifc tremors, Ali stood on the world’s grandest stage and lit the Olympic For a private college education at a public university cost, flame. call Linfield today was sentenced to the maximum five As we honor Black History years in prison and $10,000 fine. Month, let us not forget the long Court of Appeals upheld the con line of men and women who have viction and the case went before come before us and stood up for < MANAGEMENT the US Supreme Court. what they thought was humane and E arts ¿ humanities In the years that followed, anti just. war sentiment intensified. Every Longing for respect in his [BUSINESS INFO SYSTEMS night, as families sat down to eat youth, vilified by many as an --- -------------------------------------- dinner, news reports would “keep adult, now coping with a devas egree rogram score” by relaying casualty statis tating disease, Muhammad Ali COMPUTER INFO SYSTEMS PERSONAL ATTENTION • CLASSROOM BASED INSTRUCTION tics. Rallies, songs and movies stands as a symbol of what one BACHELOR'S DEGREES & CERTIFICATES • EVENING & WEEKEND CLASSES about the harsh realities of war be can endure and accomplish when SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES Contact us at (800) 452-4176 or visit our web site at www.linfield.edu/dce came a part of American culture. character is questioned and cour During his exile from boxing, Ali age is tested. _ ____ Nine convenient locations throughout Oregon & SW Washington------- -—..... ——-— --------- —- ALBANY • ASTORIA • CENTRAL OREGON • COOS BAY ’ EUGENE • LONGVIEW ♦ MCMINNVILLE • PORTLAND » SALEM lectured on college campuses about Staff Writer f BBS MSB »INFIELD D P
