The Dalanda Archives: June 2016

Monday 6 June 2016

I wanted to wait a bit before writing about Muhammad Ali to see how his life was covered, and I'm happy to see that the struggles he for the greater good were not in vain.

Muhammad Ali was more than just a boxer. He fought courageously for equal rights and peace, he spoke out against the maltreatment of minorities and refused to fight in a war that he didn't believe in. He was sent to prison and his prime years were lost as a result of him standing up against the powers that be.

This was in the 60'/ 70's which is remarkable as even to this day, people are afraid to stand up for their rights, what they believe in or just simply the right thing. People with fame,and power like Ali often use it in selfish ways to show off, share detrimental messages and create images of a life that few can have but many will spend their whole life fighting for.Now many with power that will lead you on a wild goose chase into a life that leaves you unfulfilled in the most important ways- if you ever even make it.

This is why despite there being arguments that there may be better boxers out there already, or there may be some in the future (which I should hope so as records are made to be broken)- I don't think Ali can be matched for now. As a celebrity and as a fighter he was one of the few role models that were brave enough to actually spread messages of love, kindness, freedom, acceptance- and actually mean what he was saying as opposed to speaking out in order to be fashionable on social issues. He wasn't out every weekend falling out of clubs, making silly purchases, or doing the general dumb/boring and predictable shit you see celebrities and sports people up to nowadays and I really respect and admire him for that.

Some normal people wouldn't have been brave enough to speak out- especially with the history of oppression; yet Ali who had more to lose (in the frivolous sense of the word eg- sponsors) took every opportunity he could because his heart knew what was important and he wasn't afraid to follow it. Now look at how much of a legend he has become- aside from his boxing.

His family should be proud and I hope his soul is happy for what he achieved on his time here on earth. The money, fame and flashing lights didn't phase him, he stuck to his morals and integrity. He could have overcome, or ignored the systematic struggle he was born into through his fame, but decided to join the universal struggle with other POC until everyone had a chance to enjoy the freedoms that he could.

I hope it's not forgotten, and I hope people are inspired and can appreciate the struggles he faced and triumphed over.

Muhammad Ali. The man, the legend. He will be missed!