Most people might not think that a professional boxer could be an activist. However, Muhammad Ali is not only considered a world champion boxer, but is also a well known political and social activist and humanitarian. As an activist, he refused to be drafted into the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. In addition to that, he promoted world peace by traveling to war torn countries and became an advocate for children.
As a political activist, on April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. One of the reasons he said was, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” (www.looktothestars.org.)Another reason he was against the war was that he had converted to Islam in 1964, a peaceful and non-violent religion which discouraged fighting and war. (www.looktothestars.org.) Muhammad Ali was sentenced to prison for five years and had to pay a fine of $10,000 for refusing to go to war based on his political and religious beliefs. After this happened, Muhammad Ali gave speeches at universities stating that, “There is a difference between fighting in the ring and fighting in Vietnam.”(www.looktothestars.org.)In other words, Muhammad Ali believed that fighting in the ring in the recognized sport of boxing could not be compared to killing your fellow man on the battlefield. …show more content…
In 1985, he flew to Lebanon to assist in releasing four hostages. After this happened, he also traveled to Afghanistan and North Korea to promote world peace as part of his goodwill missions. One of his biggest peace missions was on November 23, 1990, when he traveled to Iraq and attended meetings in Baghdad to help with the release of 15 hostages were held by Saddam Hussein during the Gulf-War. Later on, he went to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela for making the world a better place. It is clear that Muhammad Ali would go anywhere in the world to advocate world
As a political activist, on April 28, 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. One of the reasons he said was, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” (www.looktothestars.org.)Another reason he was against the war was that he had converted to Islam in 1964, a peaceful and non-violent religion which discouraged fighting and war. (www.looktothestars.org.) Muhammad Ali was sentenced to prison for five years and had to pay a fine of $10,000 for refusing to go to war based on his political and religious beliefs. After this happened, Muhammad Ali gave speeches at universities stating that, “There is a difference between fighting in the ring and fighting in Vietnam.”(www.looktothestars.org.)In other words, Muhammad Ali believed that fighting in the ring in the recognized sport of boxing could not be compared to killing your fellow man on the battlefield. …show more content…
In 1985, he flew to Lebanon to assist in releasing four hostages. After this happened, he also traveled to Afghanistan and North Korea to promote world peace as part of his goodwill missions. One of his biggest peace missions was on November 23, 1990, when he traveled to Iraq and attended meetings in Baghdad to help with the release of 15 hostages were held by Saddam Hussein during the Gulf-War. Later on, he went to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela for making the world a better place. It is clear that Muhammad Ali would go anywhere in the world to advocate world