Ali, a biography of the sports legend Muhammad Ali, was produced and directed by Michael Mann, as he depicts Ali’s life from 1964 through 1974. Throughout the film, Mann illustrates the involvement of Ali and the Nation of Islam alongside the founder Elijah Muhammad, in their attempt to “improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African Americans in the United States and all of humanity” (American Studies pg. 320). Elijah Muhammad, while he plays a key role within the Nation of Islam, surprisingly played a more behind the scenes role within the film, as the spiritual and vocal influence of Ali and Malcolm X overshadowed him in their teachings of Elijah’s philosophies. Furthermore, Malcolm X, formally known as Malcolm
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Eventually, Ali is faced with legal issues of his own in his refusal to serve the United States in the Vietnam War. Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces, saying “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong” (history.com). He believed it was not right to harm others, especially with the racial issues that surrounded America during this period. This ultimately caused him to be stripped of his heavy-weight belt, something he worked very hard to achieve. Eventually, once the issue was resolved nearly 4 years later, the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire where Ali fought Foreman in an attempt to regain his belt. This fight was a significant event in the lives of African Americans due to the fact that Ali beat the legal issues faced against him, while he also embraced the African culture connecting with many and influencing them to be vocal in their beliefs. Many looked up to Ali, and he utilized his boxing style and success to create an impact on society, since “style became a tool to circumvent racism and bias against black players” (Rhodes pg. 160). In all, to see him experience ample success with much adversity was a great moment for their culture and African Americans
Eventually, Ali is faced with legal issues of his own in his refusal to serve the United States in the Vietnam War. Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces, saying “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong” (history.com). He believed it was not right to harm others, especially with the racial issues that surrounded America during this period. This ultimately caused him to be stripped of his heavy-weight belt, something he worked very hard to achieve. Eventually, once the issue was resolved nearly 4 years later, the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire where Ali fought Foreman in an attempt to regain his belt. This fight was a significant event in the lives of African Americans due to the fact that Ali beat the legal issues faced against him, while he also embraced the African culture connecting with many and influencing them to be vocal in their beliefs. Many looked up to Ali, and he utilized his boxing style and success to create an impact on society, since “style became a tool to circumvent racism and bias against black players” (Rhodes pg. 160). In all, to see him experience ample success with much adversity was a great moment for their culture and African Americans