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VOLUME 27 ISSUE 13
JUNE 9, 2016 - JUNE 15, 2016
Since 1989
IN TRIBUTE TO MUHAMMAD ALI
CHAMPION•ACTIVIST•HUMANITARIAN
By Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams Owner & Publisher, New York Trend
The first time I heard the words, “I am the greatest!” I was a young black girl watching boxing with my father. I can recall how these words were spoken with confidence and defiance. The words came from a black man who used the power of his championship status and his commitment to advocacy to change the world. Muhammad Ali made many people angry, but he made more of us empowered. In fact, he was the embodiment of a true dichotomy in that he could be hated and loved by the same individual at the same time who loved him as a boxer and hated him as a spokesman for the disenfranchised. Despite race, economics or gender, anyone who watched the elegant foot work and floating style of this Olympic champion in the ring, had to be mesmerized. Muhammad Ali throughout his life was admired and despised, loved and hated, embraced and disowned because of his rise in the world of boxing, but also because he had the courage to speak out against racism and to take a stand against the Viet Nam war.
tear down his image? One critic charged that Muhammad Ali’s words towards white Americans was far more hateful than the Republican candidate (whose name will not be used in this writing) for President of the United States. Really? But, I say to all who feel it is open season to attack the views and character of Muhammad Ali in the wake of his death in order to change the level of respect he receives…. We don’t care!!
someone who will listen. Your words are falling on intelligent ears attached to decisive brains, inside the bodies of black Americans who continue to fight the same racism and
discrimination that Muhammad Ali denounced. His legacy will live on as a champion, activist and humanitarian. We remember and applaud the life of Muhammad Ali. May his soul rest in eternal peace. You have left a legacy that will forever be unmatched.
“ But, I say to all who feel it is open season to attack the views and character of Muhammad Ali in the wake of his death in order to change the level of respect he receives…. We don’t care!! We are not listening to you!!
We are not listening to you!! You do not have the power to diminish or impact the respect we have for our icons! We know that no one is perfect.
Finally, I offer this suggestion to all who think we care to hear their futile attempts at bring Muhammad Ali down even in death. Find
— Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams
America was in a violent state, with the civil rights movement bringing injustice against blacks to the forefront. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was an arbiter for peace did not embrace Muhammad’s outspoken, in your face, intimidating words or defiant views, as an asset to the non-violent movement. But that did not stop Muhammad Ali from espousing his ideas and criticisms of the problems we faced in this country as black people. because your words are falling on intelligent ears attached to a decisive brain, inside of a body who has lived the hell of racism and still faces the attempts to destroy our hopes, dreams and even our accomplishments. So, what are we left to decide about Muhammad Ali when in the very minutes following his death, journalists, entertainment personalities and pitiful politicians began the process of trying
Photo: The Ring Magazine/Getty Images
INSIDE T HIS IS SUE :
Education pg.5 PAGE 3 PRESERVE
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BluePage Sky EPIC pg.8 WORRY 5 DON’T
June 9, 2016 - June 15, 2016
Page 7 LANGSTON’S LETTERS www.newyorktrendnyc.com