s ’ i l A d a m m a h u s M e h c e e Sp

First of all… Who is Muhammad Ali?

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Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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His boxing career began when he was 12 years old. Someone had stolen his bicycle. He wanted to whoop whoever stole it.

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Cassius had won a golden medal at the Olympics in 1960, but threw it in the Ohio River after being refused service in a whites only restaurant. He claimed that he didn’t want to wear a medal in a country where he couldn’t be served.

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He decided to join a Muslim group, the Nation of Islam, in 1964 and was given the name of Muhammad Ali meaning “Praiseworthy One”.

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Muhammad officially retires in 1981 with a record of 56-5

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In 1984, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Diseased, which affected his speech

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He earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor in 2005

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Banned from boxing for three and a half years for refusing military service in Vietnam due to religious beliefs, stating “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong.”

Quotes from Muhammad Ali

Once you say are, believe it and you’ll become it.

Do what you need to do now so you can enjoy other things later.

Your determination to fulfill your goal should be bigger than how well you are at it.

Here’s one of Muhammad’s speeches

What impact did his speeches have in Black History? In another one of his speeches, Muhammad stated, “I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want to be and think what I want to think.” Muhammad has faith in himself and doesn’t need anyone to tell him to change. He doesn’t let the criticism get to him. Therefore, people shouldn’t believe others’ criticism. Use that criticism to motivate yourself to do better, not to put you down.

Muhammad gave people motivation, confidence, and determination. Like in the speech I showed in the slide before, he said, “Imma show you how great I am.” The video then showed clips of him knocking out his opponents.