Muhammad Ali – RE EXAMINING GREATNESS
By Dr. William Small
South Carolina

On Friday, June 3, 2016, a singularly important African American icon transitioned into the realm of our ancestors. All of the major media outlets were quick to bombard their audiences with words and statements of praise and adulation for the life and the deeds of Muhammad Ali. It is not unusual for individuals who enjoy public celebrity to be more favorably referred to in death than they were in life. Perhaps praise becomes a balm for the conscience of those of us who are temporarily left behind. In this instance, I did not have the sense or the feeling that the media was doing what the media often routinely does. Instead, for me, the words of praise and regret were couched in the comfort and assurance of the words of the spiritual which said: “Oh grave, you can’t hold my body down”. 

As Black people, I suggest that we especially need to become increasingly sensitive to the nature and essence of what and how we celebrate. We must insure that our legitimate emotional expressions are accompanied by a responsible degree of political consciousness. Thus, we will be able to conceptualize and fully appreciate the dimensional significance of what it is that we are, in fact, celebrating. It is through the incorporation of structure and discipline in our celebrations, that we can preserve the integrity of our world view and defend our collective interests, as we express ourselves publicly on all matters of social and political importance. This discipline is also a safe guard against our getting caught up in the rapture of confusing “popular” momentary and limited political acceptance, with the existence of friendships and alliances that translate into political solidarity and collective strength. It was this kind of clarity with respect to the principled engagement of issues that distinguished Muhammad Ali as a leader among leaders and made him a hero to “his people” and to legions of admirers around the world.

Although Muhammad Ali was a professional boxer, arguably, his most important fights and his greatest victories were fought and won outside of the boxing ring. There, outside of the ring, his victories helped a nation to see more clearly the dangers that lurk in the valleys and in the menacing shadows of death cast by an unjust war. It was his politics and moral stances outside of the ring that helped a needy world to see the peace that can be found on the shores of our human experience when touched by life’s still waters.

In spite of the uniqueness and the legitimate claims of “specialness” that are associated with the life of Brother Ali, we must not fail to see the bond that he shared with millions of Black people and others who dared to take a principled stand or to be a drum major for justice. Here I am reminded of a very simple truth that is confirmed by my knowledge and understanding of history. That truth being that Black men in America who gain a measure of celebrity for accepting the responsibility to move the needle of “Black Progress” from tacit acceptance to real empowerment, can expect to encounter the wrath of white supremacy. This holds whether or not the individual is rich or poor, young or old, revolutionary or nonviolent, Christian or other, American or foreign born. It matters not if the name is King, “X”, or Cosby, DuBois, Robeson, Garvey, Robinson, Till, Evers, Barry, or Barack. You may expect to be challenged by a political system containing pit falls and walls of race based injustice which mark the domestic and international landscape. It will do so passively at times and violently at other times, but it will at all times be accompanied by intentionally destructive forces. These negative omnipresent forces seek to diminish the value of any Black individual, institution or body that is courageous enough to unapologetically seek social, political and economic justice for the marginalized.

Muhammad Ali “shook up the world”, by knocking out Sonny Liston. But Muhammad Ali “really shook up the world” by demonstrating to the so called world powers, outside of the boxing ring, that, as a young man with a worldwide following, he understood his responsibility as a black man, and as a global role model. He demonstrated that he was not afraid to sacrifice money and celebrity in order to stand for principle, his ethnic integrity, and as a respecter of humanity and other things sacred.

As we celebrate the life and work of Muhammad Ali, let us think past the “Thriller in Manila” and the “Rumble in the Jungle”. Let us instead remember Muhammad Ali’s greatest fights outside of the boxing ring. Let us remember and celebrate what he gave up to fight those fights, because he valued his integrity and his desire not to see himself, his people, and others compromised by the forces of white supremacy and the attempt to reinforce the effects of its domestic and international agenda.

Let us also think about the responsibility that we must carry as we continue on our journey to preserve our personal and collective integrity; and to secure political, economic and social justice for ourselves and our fellow human beings. Long Live the Champ!

Dr. Small can be contacted at williamsmalljr@gmail.com