Other than sporting achievements, how influential was Muhammad Ali?

When thinking of the now renown name Muhammad Ali what springs to mind? The man who famously became 3 time world heavyweight champion beating the likes of Joe Frazier and George Foreman in iconic fights, or the African American Muslim convert who was stripped of his boxing licence after refusing to be conscripted into the US army to fight in the Vietnam war?

Although Ali was widely known for both these things, did he actually do anything of great influence in a way that was not related to sport? Known for his highly acclaimed "trash talk" before and after fights, there is no denying that Ali was a highly exuberant character who spoke his mind as well as what seemed his heart. His charismatic nature and boyish charm to some certainly had a part to play in his newfound popularity with the masses as well as perhaps his ability to change views yet remain stubborn to his true nature of an arrogant sports star which some of us today may find hugely irritating. However his nature of flying like a 'butterfly' and 'stinging like a bee' is still used by many today, as long as some of his other witty sayings. The simple fact that his quotes and poetic sayings are still used widely today in itself shows what a creator of words he was, with his bouncy, rythmic style of constructing sentences to intimidate opponents and journalists as well as humour foreign media (especially British) was what appealed to many people; his human nature shined through the tough light hopping exterior he displayed. Making him seriously one of the most influential and memorable figures of the 1960s.
Ali became a member of the Nation of Islam (a religious group previously known for it's black supremacist stance) in the year 1964. His conversion ignited a flame amongst journalists who refused to call the boxer by his adopted name, instead referring to him as 'Cassius' (his 'slave name' as he referred to it after'). His entry to this group quickly propelled his career into further spotlight making him one of the most controversial popular figures in the world. There is no doubt that his decision had made him host to hostility and perhaps a little suspiciousness from the American public and media alike due to the fact that at the time the group was renown as being the group of Malcolm X, a previously well known black supremacist.However a few years after Ali distanced himself from the NOI and delved himself within the more moderate Sunni Islam practice.

Moreover in 1966 when Ali was found eligible to be able to conscript into the US army for war against Vietnam, it was his refusal to conscript that brought attention to the headline grabber, arguing that ''War is against the teachings of the holy quran''. Whatever his religious beliefs, it was a shock to many that someone actually had the nerve to say no. A African American Muslim said no to joining a war and this left ordinary white Americans astounded. His quotes from this time period were the catalysts in flaring many anti war protests and also encouraging famous civil rights activist Martin Luther King, in declaring his position famousley against the Vietnam war. The plain fact that Ali's actions inspired one of the greatest freedom inspirers of all time to declare his position is in itself a action which shows the depths that Muhammad Ali's influence went

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''Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?''

''No, I am not going 10,000 miles to help murder, kill, and burn other people to simply help continue the domination of white slavemasters over dark people the world over. This is the day and age when such evil injustice must come to an end ''

Although his quotes and speeches may seem extremely human rights friendly to you and I, Ali was later arrested for draft evasion and stripped of his title and boxing licence to not box again for over 3 years after only 21 minutes of a court deliberation. The sole fact that Ali had the nerve to say such things could be seen as a brave act for days where discrimination was rife however it could be said that the actions of Muhammad Ali have inspired not only future sports stars, but people in general. The whole idea to be passionate about what you believe in and have no fear. Moreover the Ali effect is still practiced today with many claiming: ''i only said i was the greatest, not the smartest''.