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…
Good Morning Mr Williams, Mrs. Evans, honorable staff, notable guest, and the dynamic Class of 2016. The Great Muhammad Ali once declared “I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.” Ali was an African American boxer and activist who fought against social injustice toward the black people. At the time, of Muhammad Ali’s words, the law permitted segregated schools where…
one of the most talented boxer of his generation. In his boxing days, he inspired younger men to follow in his footsteps. He was twelve years old when he started boxing because he bike was stolen and he told a police officer, Joe Martin, that he wanted to beat up the thief. Joe Martin took Ali under his wing to learn boxing before challenging the thief. Within a few years, he rose to the top with his outstanding skills, dominating his matches, gaining the title as the greatest boxer in history.…
James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens was born on September 12, 1913 in Oakville Alabama. Owens was the youngest of 10 children born to Henry Cleveland Owens and Wife Mary Emma. His parents worked as sharecroppers and his grandparents were slaves. Owens was often sick suffering from chronic bronchial congestion and pneumonia. Still, at an early age, Owens was expected to work, picking up 100 pounds of cotton despite the fact that he a frail child, in order to help in providing for the family. At the…
‘’Baby can I talk to you about something?’’ I pondered my new wife Jasmine, wondering if she would be open to a conversation. ‘’Yes, Nwoye’’. She replied. ‘’Today marks 9 years since the passing of my father. It hasn’t been too easy for me. I feel as I am in part responsible for his death.’’ ‘’Why would feel that way, I thought you father hung himself?’’ ‘’He did, though I feel at fault for this situation because of multiple circumstances’’. ‘’ Is this what you want to…
What comes to mind when one pictures the sport of boxing? It may be the money or the fame, or it may be the passion. Passion was the driving force in world renowned boxer Muhammad Ali. As an philanthropist, activist, and athlete, he was all but one- a quiter. Overcoming oppression and discrimination, Muhammad Ali became what many see as one of the most honored athletes of all time. Set the clock back to 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Boxing became his escape from segregation and oppression. In…
A boxer distinguishes himself as strong, fierce, and smart. They must exhibit these qualities in order to outlast their opponent and win the fight. Boxer, “an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together,” obtained an ironic name in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Many animals respected Boxer, for they knew he put forth tremendous amounts of work. Despite his work ethic, Boxer lived by the motto “I will work harder” and continued to work hard…
Jr. is the full name of this fighter he was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942. Cassius clays father painted billboards and signs for a living while his mom was a house maid. Cassius was the older of two brothers. He was introduced to boxing by Joe martin. A police officer that did boxing lessons in the evenings. When he was going…
Muhammad had the chance to regain the heavyweight belt in the “Fight of the Century,” but Joe Frazier beat him in the final round. This was Muhammad’s first lost as a professional boxer. He did not let the loss get to him and he won ten bouts in a row before losing to Ken Norton, but six months later he had a rematch against Ken Norton and defeated…
No one had known that on August 4th, 1961, an individual was born that would one day inspire the world. Barack Hussein Obama Jr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to parents Ann Dunham, an elementary teacher whom later on received her PhD in anthropology, and Barack Hussein Obama Sr., an economist in the Kenyan government. Mr. Obama Jr. is a descendent of a line of strong, independent people. His grandfather, Stanly Dunham, was a World War II veteran and his grandmother worked to become the first…