Muhammad Ali 's Stand Against The Vietnam War

Secretary of State John Kerry once said “I saw courage both in the Vietnam War and in the struggle to stop it. I learned that patriotism includes protest, not just military service.” The Vietnam War was a conflict that lasted from 1956-1975 which the United States participated in along with the South Vietnamese who fought against the Communist North Vietnamese. Many Americans strongly disapproved of the war which caused many protests and riots. The war lasted 25 years killing many people and eventually the North Vietnamese won. The Vietnam War was important to Americans back home because it tested the citizen’s right to free speech, effected future foreign policy, and created many issues for returning veterans.

Above all, Muhammad Ali stood up for what he believed in. As a matter of fact, Muhammad stood up against the Vietnam War. The New York Daily News insinuates that, “why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negros

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. later known as Muhammad Ali, was a black boxer, and was proud of it. Many African Americans were ashamed of their color, but Ali was different. He was the first boxer to win the Heavyweight Championship 3 different times. He had a great personality and was liked by the people. During his life, he made big decisions that changed the course of his life completely. Muhammad Ali's journey through life was a great inspiration for African American people, but Ali himself deserves the admiration of everyone.

To begin, Muhammad Ali was born in a life where his parents knew he would accomplish great things. Ali was born on January 17th, 1942, in Louisville Kentucky. According to, the book, The Importance Of Muhammad Ali, his father said that Ali, ”Came into this world with a good body and a big head, that was the image of Joe Louis. That made me real proud, I loved Joe Louis.” Ali was known as a leader, even

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. to Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay on January 17, 1942 Louisville, Kentucky. His father painted billboards and signs. His mother was a domestic helper. Ali grew up in a black lower middle class house in a segregated black sub-division. He experienced racial injustice and discrimination which made him very defensive. When he was about twelve-years old his bike was stolen.He reported it to a local police officer named Joe Martin. Ali told the officer that he wanted to beat up the thief. Martin told him that he needs to learn how to fight before he started to challenge

Cassius Clay, now known as Muhammad Ali, stated, “If I thought going to war would bring freedom, justice, and equality to the 22 million African Americans they wouldn't have to draft me, I would join tomorrow (Dellinger)” It is clear in this quote that Ali wanted nothing more than to avoid war unless it meant something important to him. At that time in history there was a lot going on in the world, and one of those things was Muhammad Ali refusing to go to the draft. Cassius Clay (now known as Muhammad Ali), an African American boxing champion who lived most of his young life during the Civil Rights movement, refused to join the

Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most influential people of this century. People remember King for his humanity, leadership and his love of his fellow man regardless of their skin color. Through reading King’s writings and speeches, that changed the world, one can learn that his values of integrity, love, truth, fairness, caring, non-violence, and peace were what motivated him to greatness. One of his less known speeches is “A Time to Break the Silence”, this speech was different than most of King’s speeches; the theme of this speech is not civil rights movement, but Vietnam. King addresses the war in Vietnam and he gives reasons why it should not continue.

Ali’s next reason he changed the country was when he spoke out when he was chosen to be in the Vietnam War. Ali knew he didn’t want to be in that war because he was already changing America at the time with his actions in the ring and out of the ring. His decision to do so was very controversial and made politicians enraged. Although this was very harsh at the time of the war because he was so headstrong about his opinion, he had some valid reasons for evading. One of Ali’s major reasons for going was because he didn’t want to shoot or kill people who could be innocent. Ali said at a press conference after a boxing match, “How can I shoot those poor people? Just take me to jail”, and immediately this statement made people angry. This especially

has adapted to the jungle and the way of life in Vietnam, he would be

Cassius Marcellus Clay, now known as Muhammad Ali, was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17,1942. “He has shown throughout his life that he is not afraid of any fight—inside or outside the ring. Growing up in the segregated South, Ali experienced firsthand the prejudice and discrimination that

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Mercellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Cassius

Muhammad Ali did a lot of important things in American History. He was a famous boxer also a arch believer of religious freedom and racial justice. Ali’s original name was Cassius Clay. He was born January 17,1942 in Louisville, KY. Muhammad Ali devoted his life to humanitarian in work, putting his name to many initiatives for peace and humanitarian aid. Ali was also a part of Black History.

Fate loves the ones who are fearless. It does not matter what one gains in life, but it matters how much impact they have on the world with their life. One of those individuals who undoubtedly left a great impact in the world is the boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Ali proved to be one of the greatest fighters, but his biggest fights were outside of the ring. During the draft for the Vietnam War, many men went to war because they feared the consequences they would have to face for not participating. Unlike other men, Ali refused to go to war because of his beliefs and faced many consequences for standing strong with his beliefs. Ali’s name will forever live in history as the man who took a stand for his ideas even though it was a great risk. He

The 1960s were a time of revolutionary ideas and new modes of expression. These new ways of thinking and speaking opened the door to major reforms of American society and culture. People were now standing up for what they believed in, for example, protesting against the mistreatment of African-Americans and refusing to follow the Military Selective Service Act, a law which forced men between the ages 18-26 to fight in the controversial Vietnam War (Youth Movement). Not everyone embraced this new attitude that contained a challenge to existing governmental authority. As an expert on the draft, Phillip MacFarlane wrote, “ Some critics decry the loss of the citizen-soldier as a threat to democracy”(MacFarlane). One prominent anti-war figure

Muhammed Ali was a boxer he said that he was the greatest of all time. Ali suffered from Parkinson's, racism, and he went to jail because he wouldn’t go to the army. Ali kept boxing when he got out of jail, this is when he got Parkinsons, and he still said that he was the greatest boxer ever to live. This is what made him an inspiring person. Muhammed kept working hard and got to go to the Olympics and hold up the torch. In the video when he is holding the torch you can see that he is shaking because of Parkinson's. In conclusion Ali is a fantastic role model and example of how to persevere and keep doing what you love to do.