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Impact of sporting events on society
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The Transformative Power of Sports In the American Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, but so Cassius Clay, Jackie Robinson, and Bill Russell. Long before King’s famous “I Had a Dream” speech or Rosa Parks famous stand came something much simpler: sports. Sports have always had the ability to open people’s eyes in a way that is more impactful than words or actions. The way that athletics can shape a persons mind, or open their eyes to something beyond what they already believe, is incredible. They can get everyone to root for a common purpose, a common goal. And for some, that was freedom. The integration of professional and collegiate athletics not only changed sports history, but helped shape American history.
Cassius Marcellus Clay was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942, during a time when Louisville was severely segregated. African-Americans were often considered the ‘servant’ class. The highest goal that many parents could realistically set for their children was clergymen or public school teacher. Cassius Clay’s father was a billboard painter and his mother worked cleaning houses. Being an African-American in poverty wasn’t easy; in fact, Clay was mistreated from birth. His mother recalls a specific incident in a convenience store when he was very young. “…He wanted a drink of water and they wouldn’t give him one because of his color. That really affected him.” Clay was eventually led into boxing as a way to deal with stress after having his bike stolen at the age of twelve. It was in the ring he would leave his legacy as an athlete, but out in the real world was where his fighting legacy would really leave a lasting impact. As an advocate for all people, Muhammad Ali was able to challeng...
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Works Cited
Fitzpatrick, Frank. "Texas Western's 1966 Title Left Lasting Legacy." Espn.com. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, 19 Feb. 2003. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Hauser, Thomas. "The Importance of Muhammad Ali." The Glider Lehrman Institute of American History, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
Jackson, Scoop. "Black Athletes: Beyond the Field." Espn.com. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, 24 Feb. 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Merlino, Doug. "Bill Russel, Civil Rights Hero and Inventor of Airborne Basketball.” Bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report, 29 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Naison, Mark. "Why Sports History Is American History." The Glider Lehrman Institute of Amercan History, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
Rubinstein, D, William. "Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Major League Baseball." History Today. 01 Sep. 2003: 20. eLibrary. Web. 01 Nov. 2013.
The name Muhammad Ali needs no introduction in the sports industry. This man is a living legend. Ali has accomplished my achievements during an era when African-Americas weren’t allowed any opportunities.
There is a preconceived notion in this world that one everyday man has no chance in standing up against the world and producing change. It’s impossible! For one man the word “impossible” just simply wasn’t in his vocabulary. His name is Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali is known worldwide for his success within the boxing ring. He, without question, transformed the face of the sports world with his three heavyweight boxing titles, Olympic gold medal, etc. He was unlike any other fighter during his time in the ring. He encompassed a very unorthodox style of boxing which threw many of his opponents off and outraged many boxing purists at the time, his dazzling combination of speed and power revolutionized the sport, and most boxing observers have now come to agree with Ali's longtime boast that he was "The Greatest of All Time." Although Muhammad Ali is most widely known for changing the face of the sports world, many lack in knowing that he changed much more of the world outside of sports. Muhammad Ali used his spotlight from the sports
Muhammad Ali's message of giving back to the local community has been a prevailing tenet of his efforts in spreading his message of peace, unity and integrity. Though his voice has long been the springboard for many of the ideals and principles we respect, another arm of this outreach are the various centers and schools opened in his name. One in particular is the Muhammad Ali Center.
Over the years, civil rights have been a problem within the nation as well as the rights of divergent individuals. Keeping that in mind, Muhammad Ali has not been the only person to fight against the civil unrest towards the separation of differently considered people. Staying along those lines, Ali has not only been remembered as a very famous boxer, but also one of the very many well-respected people during the Civil Rights Movement. Ali’s views on the Vietnam War also became a big idea and was recognized as the “first of it’s kind for the movement” (Ezra). The draft of 1969 and the Vietnam War made a huge impact on him in the sense that these were the two
Cassius Clay, Jr., famously known as Muhammad Ali, began boxing at an early age, initiated his successful career in the boxing ring, and shared his wealth and convictions to the less fortunate. Since Muhammad Ali as a youth experienced difficulties, he found the sport of organized boxing to be a way to counteract his emotions. Although his career met with some disappointments, he was awarded numerous recognitions for his outstanding abilities. From his accomplishments in the boxing arena, Ali extended his accomplishments by assisting numerous charities. Muhammad Ali’s recognition in the world of boxing developed from childhood challenges and grew into his desire to aid humanity.
Muhammad Ali is the three-time World Heavy Weight Champion and is one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. He is also a Muslim who rejected the draft in 1967, getting convicted of evasion charges and was stripped of his boxing title. He appealed his conviction, but the court upheld it. It eventually reached the Supreme Court, and this bid was successful. Ali became a national hero; he stuck to his beliefs and paid the consequences with no violent retaliation. He nearly sacrificed his career for his belief in peace and he will always be remembered for not backing down.
Muhammad Ali's recent death has echoed far beyond the boxing ring that was where he spent the majority of his time.
Last year, we mourned the death of one of the biggest icon in sports history. Cassius Clay most known as Muhammad Ali sadly passed away due to the Parkinson disease. This ¨event” was notorious because of the legacy that Ali left behind him was more than great, it was legendary. His boxing career and his involving in the equality of rights for the African American are the two reasons why his death was the most important event of 2016.
The first African American to play Major League baseball once said, “a life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives”; this was, of course, Jackie Robinson. Similar to Muhammad Ali, he faced problems head on a...
When prominent boxers of the 20th century are discussed, many heavyweight champions are mentioned. Names like Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Joe Frazier always find their way to the front of the conversation. But it is Muhammad Ali, a three-time heavyweight champion and political activist, who always seems to find the forefront of it all. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, Ali came into the ring after his bike was stolen at the age of twelve. He brought up his anger to Officer Joe Elsby Martin Sr. who suggested he start boxing. Ali quickly became a star after winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. At 6’3”, Ali demonstrated extraordinary speed and accuracy and he quickly became a contender for the heavyweight title.
The announcement confirmed what many had feared: Ali’s ties with the Nation of Islam. Indeed, the Nation’s leader, Elijah Muhammad, himself gave the name upon Clay. Bravely confronting a mind boggled press the re-named Ali explained, "Cassius Clay was my slave name. I’m no longer a slave." (Muhammad Ali)
For instance, ?The American Dream of unlimited possibilities was shattered for black athletes. By 1900 most of them had successfully been excluded from American sport and were forced to establish their own separate sporting organizations. The most famous of these were the black baseball leagues, a loose aggregate of teams that did not achieve much organizational structure until Rube Foster founded the National Negro Baseball League in 1920. Late nineteenth-century black athletes were often disturbed by their inability to be classified by an...
The scholars expounds that Black athletes were commodities on the playing field to help win games and bring in revenue to their respected schools. However, the schools were just as eager and willing to leave their Black players behind and dishonoring the player as a part of the team. Therefore, not compromising the team’s winning and bring in profits for the school. Sadly, Black athletes at predominately White institutions (PWIs) who believed that they were bettering the live of themselves and their families members by going to college and playing collegiate sports to increase their post secondary careers. However, these athletes were only “show ponies” for their schools. Unfortunately, Black athletes had allegiance to their school; however, the school turned their backs on the athletes to protect the profit and notoriety of the school and the programs. Money and respect from White fans and spectators were more important to the PWIs than standing up for the respect of their Black players. Racial bigotry in sports was rampant and it was only going to get worse.
Whitaker, Matthew C.. African American icons of sport: triumph, courage, and excellence. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008.
In one historical moment from Pamela Grundy's book Learning to Win: Sports, Education, and Social Change in Twentieth-Century North Carolina, she writes about men's college athletics between 1880 and 1901. Grundy states that "metaphors of competition gained new prominence, particularly among the members of the state's expanding middle class, which was coming to dominate public affairs" (Grundy, 12). Male college students living in North Carolina began to excel in organized athletics during this time period. "The contests on the field seemed to mirror the competitive conditions prevailing in the society at large, and the discipline, self-assertion and reasoned strategy that sports were credited with teaching meshed neatly with the qualifies required for business and political success" (Grungy, 13). People who supported athletics wholeheartedly believed it taught good values such as discipline and good character, while there were some who opposed this saying that sports were a distraction for students and thus a hindrance to their educational goals. White college men perceived athletics as a way to show their superiority and justify their presence in business as well as politics. They believed athletic sports were essential in their "vision o...