He may be stricken with Parkinson Disease, but Muhammad Ali is still my hero and a hero to many others. He is truly my all time hero. Today he rarely speaks. Back in the 1960s Ali spoke loud and often. He was bold. Ali challanged the United States government and stood for personal and religious befiefs. He still stands tall. Ali is a shining like to a generation of Black Americans who suffered through the pitiful conditions of violence, racism,
and hatred. He was a great boxers. Boxing was what he did. Boxing was is stage and his profession. Ali was and still is much more than another athelete. Ali spoke up and maintained his pride and inspired me to be proud.
After all these years out of the spotlight he still stands with pride.
He made mistakes, but haven't we all. He has stood the test of time and he bridges the past with present. He strong sociological and pyschological impact of the country was strong, clear, and inspiring. Ali refused to be drafted into the Army and go to Veitnam.
He wasn't the only person who refused to go, but the government punished him and him. The government tried to break him, but Ali stood his ground. He never wavered. In the 1960s White America would do all they could to destroy Black people who challenge power structure of this country. They went after Ali. In the end Ali won. He won his battle with the legal system and he won a battle for Black America.
Ali was a showman and he taunted his opponents. Joe Fraizer still feels the sting of Ali insults. Fraizer is jealous of the popularity Ali still has to this day. There other who are indifferent about his religious beliefs or still criticize him for his refusing to be drafted.
I respefectfully say to those critics Ali remain popular and loved millions because he is more than a great athelete. He is man who inspired Black people to have pride. He stood tall in the 1960s and still stands with pride in 2003.