Don’t mythologize Ali’s rage
By Stephen
Kinzer boston
globe – june 12, 2016
Reaction to the death of Muhammad Ali last weekend was
reverential, and why not? As obituaries explained at great length, Ali was more
than just a great boxer. He was a “civil rights activist,” a “champion of free
speech,” a “humanitarian,” a “tireless human rights ambassador and
philanthropist” known for “gentle generosity.”
Reading this, one might imagine that Ali lived the kind of life
that made everyone admire him. The truth is quite opposite. During the prime of
his life, Ali was widely hated. Politicians and news commentators denounced him
as a cowardly, anti-American traitor. The legislature of his home state,
Kentucky, passed a resolution declaring that he had brought discredit to the
state and to “thousands who gave their lives for this country.” Even other
African-American athletes, including Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson, criticized
him.
This is a wonderful lesson in the way we whitewash figures who
harshly criticize America’s conduct in the world. While they live and speak, we
abhor them. Years later, when they are conveniently gone, we forget the
ferocity of their words and pretend they were part of America’s happy family.http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/06/06/don-mythologize-ali-rage/0zGPtWLkZxHhs6l5b62ZvI/story.html
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