Activism in sports has been and always will be a controversial and polarizing topic. In activism for sports, an athlete takes it upon themselves to protest their beliefs on any media platform, whether streaming live media or sending a tweet about modern politics in an uproar or agreement. For my topic, I chose to discuss the world-famous and greatest of all-time American and Western boxer Muhammad Ali (or Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.). During the 1960s, America stood at the tide of fighting communism in Vietnam. As more Americans perished overseas and no more civilians wanted to volunteer, the call for more men increased, otherwise known as the draft. Broadcasted on live television and a news channel, birthdays drawn from a mixer were placed on the board, and those drawn on the board meant that many were elected to fight for the United States. In April of 1967, Muhammad Ali was drawn for the draft, for the Vietnam War. As Ali represents the black and Muslim community, Ali did not believe in killing for the “Big Powerful America,” who do not hate him, while battling racism and hatred in the United States. As many thought this was not the war we belonged in, Ali elected not to fight and was arrested. As Ali dominated the boxing ring, the biggest fight of his life and beliefs stood at the Supreme Court. Arrested for his decision, Ali won his case against the Supreme Court in 1970.

Muhammad Ali’s role shaped the American view of racism in sports and everyday politics. During the 1960s to the 1970s, segregation and racism was a complete drive away from equality for the American people. Sports is a connection for all to forget about racism, or maybe some might say Ali fought against racism in the ring. From a media perspective, whether aired on live television or written in the daily paper, Ali’s fight against the Supreme Court ruling was not enhanced nor suppressed because the media covered what was a significant topic back then. In another view, as patriotism was high, maybe Ali was villainized. Aside from Jesse Owens’ fight against racism in the late 1930s at the Olympics, Ali’s fight laid a greater foundation in the battle against racism.