Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 M UHAMMAD ALI Muhammad Ali was not only a champion athlete, but a cultural icon. While his skill as a boxer made him famous, his strong personality and his iden- tity as a black man in a country in the midst of the struggle for civil rights made him an enduring symbol. From his youth in segregated Louisville, Kentucky, to his victory in the 1960 Olympics, to the controversy that sur- rounded his conversion to Islam and refusal of the draft during the Vietnam War, Ali’s life was closely linked to the major social and political struggles of the 1960s and 1970s. Th e story of his struggles, failures, and triumphs sheds light on issues of race, class, religion, dissent, and the role of sports in American society that aff ected all Americans. In this lively, concise biography, Barbara L. Tischler introduces students to Ali’s life in social and political context, and explores his enduring signif- icance as a symbol of resistance. Muhammad Ali: A Man of Many Voices off ers the perfect introduction to this extraordinary American and his times. Barbara L. Tischler is the Head of the Speyer Legacy School in New York City. Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 R OUTLEDGE HISTORICAL AMERICANS S ERIES EDITOR: PAUL FINKELMAN Routledge Historical Americans is a series of short, vibrant biographies that illuminate the lives of Americans who have had an impact on the world. Each book includes a short overview of the person’s life and puts that person into historical context through essential primary documents, written both by the subjects and about them. A series website supports the books, containing extra images and documents, links to further research, and where possible, multi-media sources on the subjects. Perfect for including in any course on American History, the books in the Routledge Historical Americans series show the impact everyday people can have on the course of history. Woody Guthrie: Writing America’s Songs Ronald D. Cohen Frederick Douglass: Reformer and Statesman L. Diane Barnes Th urgood Marshall: Race, Rights, and the Struggle for a More Perfect Union Charles L. Zelden Harry S. Truman: Th e Coming of the Cold War Nicole L. Anslover John Winthrop: Founding the City upon a Hill Michael Parker John F. Kennedy: Th e Spirit of Cold War Liberalism Jason K. Duncan Bill Clinton: Building a Bridge to the New Millennium David H. Bennett Ronald Reagan: Champion of Conservative America Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 James H. Broussard Laura Ingalls Wilder: American Writer on the Prairie Sallie Ketcham Benjamin Franklin: American Founder, Atlantic Citizen Nathan R. Kozuskanich Brigham Young: Sovereign in America David Vaughn Mason Mary Lincoln: Southern Girl, Northern Woman Stacy Pratt McDermott Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.: Civil War Soldier, Supreme Court Justice Susan-Mary Grant Belle La Follette: Progressive Era Reformer Nancy C. Unger Harriet Tubman: Slavery, the Civil War, and Civil Rights in the Nineteenth Century Kristen T. Oertel Muhammad Ali: A Man of Many Voices Barbara L. Tischler Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 This page intentionally left blank Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 M UHAMMAD ALI A MAN OF MANY VOICES BARBARA L. TISCHLER Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 http://www.routledge.com/cw/historicalamericans First published 2016 by Routledge 711 Th ird Avenue, New York, NY 10017 And by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2016 Taylor & Francis Th e right of Barbara L. Tischler to be identifi ed as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereaft er invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested. ISBN: 978-1-138-02305-5 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-138-02306-2 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-77668-2 (ebk) Typeset in Minion and Scala Sans by Apex CoVantage, LLC Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 C ONTENTS Acknowledgments ix Introduction Muhammad Ali’s Many Voices 1 PART I Muhammad Ali Chapter 1 From Gold Gloves to a Gold Medal 9 Chapter 2 Becoming “Th e Greatest” 31 Chapter 3 “What’s My Name?” From the Sports Pages to the Front Page 61 Chapter 4 Fighting the Good Fight 85 Chapter 5 “. And Still Champion” 107 Chapter 6 Once Again a Hero 133 Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 Chapter 7 Th e Rumble, the Th rilla, and the End of a Career 149 Epilogue “I Won’t Miss Boxing, Boxing Will Miss Me” 173 PART II Documents 187 Bibliography 207 Index 213 This page intentionally left blank Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 A CKNOWLEDGMENTS Writing is a solitary craft , whether on a strict schedule or in the occasional “spare” moments of one’s life. But creating a book is a decidedly collabora- tive eff ort, and I am indebted to a number of people who helped to bring Muhammad Ali: A Man of Many Voices to fruition. Series editor Professor Paul Finkelman fi rst suggested this project in the fall of 2012. Although it took me another six months to think that I could actually write this book and another eighteen months aft er that to meet the goal of producing an acceptable manuscript, Paul was encouraging, help- fully critical, and energetic in his engagement with my ideas. I am grateful for the enthusiasm with which he approached my work. Professor Ellen Schrecker read the manuscript and provided valuable advice about the political context of the 1950s and 1960s as well as comments on how this book could be useful to students. Genevieve Aoki and the production staff at Taylor & Francis helped to turn a manuscript into a book. Genevieve’s guidance throughout the project was especially helpful. Kyler Culver, the librarian and New York’s Buckley School provided insight into the workings of a variety of data bases that helped advance my research. My best critics are the members of my family. In conversations, few propositions are accepted without question. As a result, an idea becomes Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 more nuanced and interesting. My sons, Ben and Dan, read early draft s and helped me to clarify and intensify my portrayal of the Greatest of All Time. Steve Tischler, the greatest editor ever and love of my life, read the book as much as I did and freely off ered his expertise on the importance of sports to the American story. We did not always agree, but we laughed a lot, and the book is better for his love and care for me and the project. This page intentionally left blank Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 I NTRODUCTION M UHAMMAD A LI’S MANY VOICES Th is book was written for students who wish to learn more about a great ath- lete and his impact on his sport and his country. Th e name “Muhammad Ali” is recognized throughout the world, and it’s important to present aspects of his life that continue to make him an object of conversation and controversy. Th e literature on the Greatest of All Time is extensive, ranging from fi ght reports and blogs to creative essays on the meaning of Ali in American soci- ety and analyses of Ali’s rhetoric of peace in the violent context of both box- ing and war. He has been characterized as an upstart, a champion, a religious fanatic, a traitor, a washed-up heavyweight, a survivor, and a humanitarian. At various times in his life, Ali has spoken in a language and a style that revealed his commitment to his identity of that moment. In each instance, his voice has informed us about life as a young black man with ambition beyond anyone else’s comprehension; as a winner in the ring who spoke his mind about his accomplishments; a member of the reviled and feared Nation of Islam; a conscientious objector who was willing to risk jail and the loss of income for his convictions; a former champion who could not bring himself to leave the ring; a man living with the symptoms of a debilitating disease; and a man who found ways to use his celebrity to help others. Muhammad Ali remains a champion and a man of many voices. Downloaded by [New York University] at 13:59 28 September 2016 Th roughout his life and career, Muhammad Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., has spoken in many voices, each of which has revealed his character at diff erent points in his life—a young fi ghter who was tough in the ring but was afraid of air travel; a brash new heavyweight champion ready to take on all challengers and critics; a Muslim; a draft resister; and the elder statesman of boxing.