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Fall 2012 KentuckyKentucky Humanities Council, Inc. humanities

Kentucky Chautauqua Past Meets Present II Page 9 INSIDE: : Identity & Transformation I 23 Telling KentuckyFall 2012 ’s Story humanities Board of Directors Chair: Aristofanes Cedeño, Ph.D. Louisville Vice Chair: Kristen T. Bale 8 Glasgow Kentucky’s Covered Secretary: William G. Francis, JD Bridges Prestonsburg By Kenneth R. Hixson Treasurer: Howard V. Roberts Pikeville Brian T. Burton Lexington Susan Dunlap Versailles Geoffrey A. Hall Nichloasville 18 Mary Hammond A Beacon Light Paducah Lynn T. Harpring Danville Dr. John D. Jackson Louisville By Stuart W. Sanders David V. Hawpe Louisville Ken Jones Burlington Tori Murden McClure Louisville Nathan Mick Lancasater Minh Nguyen, Ph.D. 23 Richmond Muhammad Ali Reed Polk Identity & Transformation Lexington By John Edward Faulkner Bill Scott Frankfort John Michael Seelig, JD In this issue Morehead Aaron Thompson, Ph.D. Bourbon Greenup Todd Richmond Boyd Hart Trigg Jane Gentry Vance, Ph.D. Boyle Jefferson Warren Versailles Carroll Logan Washington Kris Williams, Ph.D. Henderson Carter Madison Whitley Brenda L. Wilson Christian Marion Williamstown Clark Mason Margie Kennedy Wilson Daviess McCracken Lexington Kenneth H. Wolf, Ph.D. Fayette Mercer Murray Fleming Muhlenberg Staff Franklin Oldham Virginia G. Carter, Ph.D. Executive Director © 2012 Kentucky Humanities Council ISSN 1554-6284 Kathleen Pool Kentucky Humanities is published in the spring and fall by the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc., 206 E. Maxwell St., Lexington, KY 40508-2613 Associate Director (859.257.5932). The Kentucky Humanities Council is an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C., and provides more than 500 public humanities programs for Kentuckians every year. Supporters of the council’s programs Marianne Stoess receive Kentucky Humanities by mail. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Kentucky Assistant Director, Editor Humanities Council board and staff. For information on story content or advertising rates, contact Marianne Stoess at [email protected] Steven Price or 859.257.5932. Fiscal Officer Catherine Ferguson SpringChautauqua 2010 Coordinator1 Muhammad Ali Identity & Transformation

By John Edward Faulkner

n 1897 the then newly published Marquess of Queensberry Rules revised ’s code of regulations to bring a sense of sportsmanship, I fair play, and respectability to the sport. It states, “You must not fight simply to win; no holds barred is not the way; you must win by the rules.” All’s fair in love and war, yet boxing is neither, despite the inherent savagery. Sports are a microcosm of human civilization. It dramatizes the vices and virtues of a society’s primary self-interest that often engages in competition. Sportsmanship codes of conduct’s explicit correlation to ethics and morality implies that they are not about who wins or who loses but address the rules of engagement and to establish a measure of objectivity for a chance at victory. In reality, the out-of-bounds lines move, the referee is a member of the opposition, and the level playing field is a minefield. Codes of conduct in the form of law were at the forefront of daily life for the then called “Negroes” in America during the 1950s and ’60s. This is the stage in which young Cassius Clay of Louisville, Kentucky, comes of age. The era’s civil rights movement was a loud echo of the deadly explosion that was the United States Civil War. The war, lead by President Abraham Lincoln, a beloved figure for some, despised by many, defined the true ethical and moral identity of this country. Exactly one hundred years later the identical unresolved issues of race and war would resurface as integral factors in the life of

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Muhammad Ali.

Fall 2012 23 Akin to the relatively young America, Muhammad Ali’s fight when someone stole his bicycle. Looking for help he found journey would be one fueled by youthful exuberance filled with Joe Martin, a retired policeman. Under Martin’s tutorage the the passion and the knowledge that anything was possible. Also young boy made a commitment to boxing. Training became an like the country, he proceeded on a bold and daring quest, filled integral part of Ali’s life as he’d often jogged to school rather than with unbowed imperfection. It should come as no surprise ride the bus. The conditioning paid off in 1959 when he became to Americans who say that this is the greatest country in the the National AAU and the National Golden Gloves champion. world, that one of its citizens also claims to be the greatest. Ali The victories paved the way for the biggest amateur spotlight, the backed up this proclamation with his fists and a declaration of 1960 summer Olympics when Ali would enter the world stage. independence in his heart. So when in Rome do as the Romans do. Even his Roman The legend of Muhammad Ali is not just an American dream; forename “Cassius Marcellus” was an indicator of the triumph his is great mythology for all time. This is David and Goliath, to come. He conquered not only the light-heavyweight gold with Jim Crow, Sonny Liston, the U.S. military, and George medal in the ring but equally captivated the world’s attention Foreman sharing the latter role. as the 18-year-old was the beguiler of the Olympic village. His In his seminal work “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” outsized boast of greatness and disarming manner enchanted Joseph Campbell states, “The standard path of the mythological his fellow Olympians as well as the worldwide media. This adventure of the hero is a magnification of the formula event would be the first of several coronations whether decreed represented in the rites of passage: separation-initiation-return by others or conferred on himself. They had no way of knowing ... A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into at the time that he would live up to it all. a region of supernatural wonder; fabulous forces are there After the victory parades, this pied piper of self-promotion encountered and a decisive victory is won; the hero comes was ready for his professional debut. Backed by the local back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow businessmen known as the Louisville Sponsoring Group and boons on his fellow man.” All of these characteristics are found guided by his new corner man , Clay proceeded in the narrative of Ali’s life. Ali’s sagacious corner man Bundini on a trek to become the heavyweight champion, a goal that he Brown said it best when describing this larger-than-life tale in stated loudly and often. Leon Gast’s 1978 documentary “”: “The Clay was built like da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” 6’ 3”, 192 king is going home to get his throne. From the root to the fruit, pounds with an 80-inch reach, and the speed and agility that’s where everything started at. This is God’s act, and you are attributed to smaller fighters. Another dimension that would part of it. This is no Hollywood set, this is real. Hollywood come be later lampooned by entertainer Dean Martin was his 21- in and take these kind of scenes and set ‘em up, have somebody inch tongue, for all the mouthing off he did. Now known as the in the movies playing his life. This is real. We don’t pick up a “Louisville Lip,” Clay played the part of the villain you loved script. We get up in the morning feeling tired. Sometimes we to hate. He was inspired by the showmanship of pro wrestler feel good, sometimes bad, but we go through it with feeling. Gorgeous George whose “glamour boy” buffoonery sent Muhammad Ali was born to do it.” crowds into a spiteful frenzy, all the while filling the seats. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born January 17, 1942 in The press, always hungry for copy, flocked to his side and he Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Odessa Grady and Cassius dished it out as fast as they could write it. Picking the round Clay Sr. His path began with a healthy balance of nature and that he would secure victory and ad-libbing poetry set the stage nurture. He inherited his personality, as much as you can for the upcoming drama. Despite the hype, the most impressive inherit a personality as distinctive as his, from his parents. His theatrics took place in the ring. lighthearted charm came from his mother with a sense of right Instead of keeping his hands up for defense, Clay kept his and wrong instilled by her Baptist beliefs. The garishness came guard dangerously low, relying on cobra-like reflexes to slip from his father, who could easily out-talk his son. The zeitgeist punches that would end in disaster for a normal man. This of segregation and oppression in America were also shaping his display of unorthodoxy had its foundation in his fabulous outlook on life. Fourteen-year-old Emmitt Till was six months footwork. Moving side-to-side while up on his toes, bobbing, older than Cassius Clay when he was murdered in 1955. The weaving, and even knocking down fighters while he was vulgar savagery of this homicide coupled with the acquittal moving backward. The early opposition had no idea that they of the defendants sent the strongest of messages through were just dance partners in this pas de deux. His signature the collective psyche of the Negro community. Everyone “shuffle” would paralyze opponents and thrill audiences eager understood the implications but everyone was not terrorized. for more. Clay and Bundini Brown righteously trumpeted such The young Clay’s first test would be the same as many yet to grandiose theatrics with the bombastic chant, “Float like a come, vanquishing opponents. Those early days are well known butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can’t hit what your eyes folklore in Louisville. As an enraged 12-year-old he was ready to can’t see. Rumble young man rumble!”

24 Kentucky humanities With an undefeated record of 19-0, his dream to become the look slow and clumsy. Clay continually peppered Liston with youngest heavyweight champion was at hand. Prize-fighting’s jabs and combinations until the fourth and fifth rounds when heavyweight championship is the pinnacle of all American he complained to Angelo Dundee that there was something sports; no other title even comes close. In 1964, Clay mercilessly, burning in his eyes. Wisely he kept his distance, then poured and many thought foolishly, teased to this vaulted on the pressure in the sixth round. When the bell sounded domain, nicknaming him “the big ugly bear.” Reigning champion to start the seventh round, Liston did not come off his stool, Sonny Liston had the reputation of Godzilla, devouring claiming a shoulder injury. Shockingly to all it was over. Cassius opponents at will. He had a clubbing jab, and a devastating left Clay became the youngest person to claim the heavyweight hook. More than one opponent was so completely demolished championship, a title he would hold for twenty-two years. that they collapsed outside the ring. Liston was an ex-convict Celebrating with hands raised and dancing his shuffle, Clay who learned to box while in prison. His record was 35-1(24 KOs) chastised all skeptics, brazenly gesturing at those who doubted with thirteen of the previous fourteen bouts ending by his superiority over Liston. With his mouth agape for the cameras or technical knockout. The vast majority of sportswriters and he bellowed, “I am King of the world, I shook up the world, I am a fans predicted an early and easy win for Liston. bad man, I must be the greatest.” Standing next to him during this Before Clay’s antics were on full display for a national bellicose spectacle was Joe Louis, the champion of the previous audience. Reciting a poetic duet with entertainer Liberace as generation. He stood by totally bemused and stupefied. a guest on game shows and quoted in countless print articles, The 20th century will be noted for the proliferation of he predicted a “total eclipse of the Sonny.” During the weigh-in celebrities, the advent of jet-setting travel, satellite television, some thought his exuberance bordered on mental instability. photography-laden magazines, and a diversity of newsprint Many fans looked forward to Liston shutting Clay’s big mouth. easily disseminating the day’s events to a worldwide audience. The next day, February 25, 1964, the fight was on. Clay’s next metamorphosis would bare the full brunt of media Brimming with confidence and primed for the task at hand attention and call into question the true resilience of the Clay methodically dismantled Liston. His agility made Liston clowning loudmouth who dared be called king.

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Fall 2012 25 Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

26 Kentucky humanities Cassius Clay wasted no time in continuing to shake up being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend the world. The day after becoming champion he held a press to bring into existence by any means necessary.” conference announcing his conversion to Islam and his alliance Eighteen days later on July 16, Barry Goldwater stated in his with the Nation of Islam. To embrace this new identity he acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention: “I declared that he should now be addressed by his new name would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no Cassius X. The Nation of Islam’s members used the X to vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit symbolize their unknown name and lost heritage of the African of justice is no virtue.” diaspora during slavery. Their principal spokesman, and close Malcolm X and Goldwater’s statements on the surface sound friend of Cassius was Malcolm X, an eloquent orator whose as if they have a commonality but, the only definitive point of words even gave his detractors pause. The leader of the Nation agreement these polarizing figures shared was the Machiavellian of Islam was the perspicacious Honorable Elijah Muhammad. notion that the end justifies the means. He conferred the boxer with a new name, Muhammad Ali. Ali’s unfathomable win over Liston and his conversion to Muhammad Ali would later state that Cassis Clay was his Islam where a double debacle for the press and the public. “slave name” and that “Changing my name was one of the most Muhammad Ali was not only his new name but his new important decisions in my life; it freed me from an identity temperament. No longer was he playing the role of court given to my family by its masters.” Ironically he made this jester. Ali stood erect, often dressed in a dark suit with a bow statement with full knowledge that its origin was from Cassius tie; dignified yet defiant. His stance put him at odds with those Marcellus Clay (1810–1903) the mercurial Kentucky politician who merely tolerated him before. Many cast aspersions upon know as the “Lion of Whitehall” who was derided for his fierce him or would inflict further insult by refusing to address him by opposition to slavery. his new moniker. One person who did respect the change was Most of the American public found the Nation of Islam’s legendary sportscaster . The two would go on to blatant scorn for American society intolerable. Despite having share an ebullient symbiotic relationship that over time helped significant support in the urban black communities, Malcolm soften the public image of Ali. X and the Nation of Islam’s methodology were diametrically The turmoil surrounding the Nation of Islam was not opposed to the exemplars of the civil rights movement at that exclusively external. In March of 1964, Malcolm X announced time. Black sports figures of the previous generation, most that he was leaving the group but not the religion. The break notably Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis, suffered the indignities caused Ali to align himself with the founder Elijah Muhammad, of racism at the height of their popularity. Both were restrained, and to dismiss his former mentor and friend. Nine months and did not combat racism with a confrontational attitude. later Malcolm X would be assassinated. Three Nation of Their conduct would not produce a fraction of the outrage that Islam members were convicted of the crime. Ali expressed no would be unleashed on Ali. remorse at the time, and would go on to replace Malcolm as Ali’s personal transformation paralleled the myriad events the organization’s most well-known protagonist. In his 2004 redefining the ethos of the United States in the 1960s. The book co-written with his daughter Hana Cold War against the Soviet Union, the civil rights movement Yasmeen Ali, Ali stated, “Turning my back on Malcolm was one at home, and the abroad were the major catalysts of the mistakes that I regret most in my life. I wish I’d been able fueling tremendous political and social upheaval. The deep to tell Malcolm I was sorry and that he was right about so many divisions in sentiment created an animosity that can be clearly things … He was a visionary ahead of us all.” illustrated in excerpts of speeches made by two of its most A 1965 rematch with Liston would be the champion’s first title adamant critics during the summer of 1964. defense. Trying to secure a location proved difficult due to the On June 28 Malcolm X addressed his newly formed loathing of Ali and rumored threats of violence. The promoter Organization of Afro-American Unity with the following: “We eventually booked the fight in the most unlikeliest of places, the declare our right on this earth ... to be a human being, to be small town of Lewistown, Maine. For the second time, most in respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human attendance cheered for Liston and he was the odds-on favorite. Ali, the champion, entered the ring to resounding boos. The redemption Liston and Ali’s detractors were hoping for wasn’t Left: His battles with Sonny Liston gave Cassius Clay a national to be. Midway through the first round Liston threw a long left stage and Clay happily entertained the press with his ad-libbed jab to the head and in a flash Ali countered with an over top poetry and insults to Liston. Nicknaming Liston “the big ugly right that sent Liston to the canvas. Many observers did not see bear,” the only thing more entertaining than the lead-up was the this phantom punch, and it looked as if Liston had taken a dive. fight itself. Standing as stunned as everyone else in the arena, Ali was filled Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress with emotion and stood over Liston gesturing and telling Liston

Fall 2012 27 to get up and fight. That very instantLife magazine photographer By the mid-1960s growing opposition to war had taken root. Neil Leifer immortalized the dramatic moment with a shot Public demonstrations against the draft, symbolized by the that would become one of the greatest sports photos in history. burning of draft cards, epitomized the discontentment with the Muhammad Ali later joked that his “anchor punch” was clocked United States’ involvement in Vietnam. Under the guidance at four one hundredths of a second, which is faster than the blink of Elijah Muhammad (who also refused to be drafted, and of an eye. He claimed that at the very moment he hit Sonny subsequently served four years in prison on charges of sedition Liston everyone in the arena blinked, that’s why they missed it. when commanding his congregants not to serve in the armed Ali’s battle with Liston was not the only fight in the news. forces), Ali made it clear that he would not be drafted due to his One month prior, in April of 1965 President Johnson ordered religious beliefs. His brazen statements, most notably, “I ain’t 60,000 soldiers deployed to the escalating war in Vietnam. This got no quarrel with them Viet Cong...They never called me was the first substantial proliferation of ground troops since nigger,” set off a firestorm of criticism and inflamed the general the United States first sent military advisors in 1955. The war public’s hatred of him. and subsequent drafting of young men was much in debate, This recalcitrance was an unprecedented act for someone especially on the country’s college campuses. Ali, as required by of his stature. During WWII boxers Joe Louis and Sugar Ray law, registered with the Selective Service System in 1960. After Robinson and baseball player Jackie Robinson saw no actual examination in March 1964, he was classified “1-Y” meaning he combat. Louis and Robinson were placed in the army’s was not qualified for induction into armed forces. Ali attributed Special Services Division performing exhibition bouts. his failure to poor reading and mathematics comprehension. Joe Louis was even awarded the Legion of Merit medal However, by February 1966, due to the demands for increased for “incalculable contribution to the general morale” manpower, the military lowered the eligibility requirements albeit under the ignominious rule of a racially and Ali was reclassified “1-A,” fit for duty. segregated military.

Muhammad Ali concluded his career with 56 wins (37 , 19 decisions) and 5 losses (4 decisions and 1 TKO.) Ali defeated Sonny Liston each time they faced off in the ring. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

28 Kentucky humanities Once Ali officially refused to be drafted, the backlash was swift milliseconds. In baseball a millisecond can result in a strikeout, in and unrelenting. The World Boxing Association stripped him of boxing you get caught by ’s nuclear left hook. his heavyweight title, several state athletic commissions denied After his return to the ring Ali continued to shake upthe him a license to box, the FBI put him under surveillance, and his world. He and Frazier would go on to star in a trilogy of bouts. passport was invalidated. On June 20, 1967, Ali was sentenced So dramatic were two of these contests that they needed titles, to five years in prison and fined $10,000. He was immediately 1971’s “Fight of the Century” and 1975’s “.” released on appeal. The latter was so brutal Ali described it as, “The closest thing No longer was Muhammad Ali’s career and utterances just to dying.” In 1974’s “Rumble in the Jungle” Ali reprised his role barbershop talk. Now, men of power and influence were piling as the doomed underdog, this time with as on. Ronald Reagan, then governor of California said, “That Liston’s understudy. So devastating was the loss for Foreman that draft dodger will never fight in my state, period.” The chairman this time, it was the other guy who found religion. of the House Armed Services Committee, L. Mendel Rivers of (who was against the 1948 integration of the armed services and all civil and voting rights legislation) promised to “raise hell” if Clay were deferred. While the majority of Thinking about College? the press vilified him, a few sports writers including Howard Cosell, did regularly catch hell for showing any sign of respect to Ali or affinity for his cause. They were regularly threatened and harassed. In a 1967 interview with Sports Illustrated THINK Ali was quoted saying, “I’m giving up my title, my wealth, maybe my future. Many great men have been tested for their religious beliefs. If I pass this test, I’ll come out stronger than ever.” It would be three and a half years before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned UNION his conviction. By that time the public’s sentiment had moved in Ali’s direction. Those attitudes were strongly influenced by the growing death toll in Vietnam, the calamitous assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Senator Robert Kennedy, as well as President Johnson’s signing of the 1968 voting rights act. By this time Ali had become a veteran for the struggle for liberty in America and was seen as a symbol of strength and fortitude. Ali was right in that his clash with the government would cost him. During his forced exile he could not sustain himself financially and took to public speaking and endorsing products to make a living. Yet, the most fundamental of his loses was that of time. All athletes have a relatively brief window when their body and mind are so harmonious that their efforts seem to defy space and time. unionky.edu In professional sports time is measured in

Fall 2012 29 In all, Ali would go on to lose and then regain the as an elder statesman of the world. Now as the lion in winter, heavyweight title an unprecedented three times. While Ali bravely contends with the effects of Parkinson’s disease the numeric aspects of Ali’s illustrious athletic career are with the same unabashed courage he used in the ring. With spectacular, his raison d’être was his authentic libertarian the support of his wife Lonnie and legions of admirers, he is heroism. A transformational saga that took him from the still making headlines and still ready to rumble. sports page to the front page and elevated him into the status of legend. Time has healed most of the wounded, and what was About the Author a revolution in the heat of the moment today reveals an John Faulkner is the former community relations manager at evolution that is still unfolding. His 1996 lighting of the the in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also Olympic torch was a moving enthronement, establishing him an artist, photographer, lecturer. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Muhammad Ali defeated every top heavyweight boxer in his era, which has been often referred to as the golden age of heavy- weight boxing. He is an inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and holds wins over seven other Hall of Fame inductees.

30 Kentucky humanities