Muhammad Ali help?

Question

I am doing a portfolio in English class on Muhammad Ali and how he changed America. Any suggestions?

-I also need to show something or bring in something for a presentation. Any Ideas?

Answer 1

There are millions of articles on Ali on the Internet.  You can start by checking on a complete and concise article on Wikipedia.net.  There you can find other good links on the web.  For you presetation, you can make a photo slide-show on powerpoint.

Answer 2

I don't think Ali changed America all that much.  People held him up as a symbol, but all he really ever was, was the greatest boxer of all time.  Anything beyond that is people trying to attribute greatness beyond what he had.  I guess that doesn't really help you assignment, does it?

The world of athletics was irrevocably changed when he hit the scene, yes.  But the culture and country?  With the exception of bratty kids trying to copy his smart-mouthing and trash talk, not much.  

If you need to show something to the class, the photo of Ali standing over Sonny Liston is the most iconic image of a sporting event, and one of the most iconic images in the History of History.  More from luck and happenstance, the photographer was in the perfect place at the perfect time, as Ali looks like a greek god standing over a mortal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesmokings...

Answer 3

You'll need to check the date, but back in 1988 or so, the National Geographic Society conducted a survey in several countries.  They showed people photos of Muhammad Ali, President Ronald Regan and others.  As I recall, 97% of the respondents could recognize Ali, but only 72% could recognize President Reagan.  

That was at a time when some 50% of Americans surveyed thought Cuba was "somewhere in the midwestern United States."

After the Supreme Court ruled in Ali's favor in his draft evasion case, a reporter asked him if he was going to sue the government.  Ali said, "No.  They did what they thought was right and I did what I thought was right."

Jack Johnson broke the color barrier in sports (boxing) in 1908 and Jackie Robinson broke it in baseball in 1947.  But I think it's fair to say that Ali broke the barrier into the hearts of Americans of all races, creeds and colors.  

Dizzy Dean was once asked if he was being something of a braggart when he talked about his greatness as a pitcher.  He said, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it."  Muhammad Ali is famous for his famous "I am the Greatest!" line.  As it turns out, he probably had no idea just how great he was.

Look at where he came from and look at where he has ended up (putting aside his illness) and you will be inspired.  You might mention that last year a major company paid Ali $50 million for the right to use his name in the promotion of their products.

We owe a serious debt of gratitude to whoever stole Cassius Clay's bicycle when he was just 11 years old!

Answer 4

I could literally go on for days on this subject.  But what I found to be most interesting is here is this African American kid who grew up in America's south in the 40's and 50's who worked so hard to be World Heavyweight Champion, and was able to stand up for his personal and religious beliefs and give all that up.  This is a man who ran his mouth in and out of the ring, backed it up in and out of the ring, was able win over the world and be a credit to his race, The Human Race.  He is heard louder now than ever despite his affliction.