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
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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
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night, as families sat down to eat youth, vilified by many as an
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score” by relaying casualty statis tating disease, Muhammad Ali
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tics. Rallies, songs and movies stands as a symbol of what one
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came a part of American culture.
character is questioned and cour
During his exile from boxing, Ali age is tested.
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