Would Ali have acted as Louis Did?

I think its virtually impossible to determine how an individual of a different generation would have acted during a dissimilar period in history. Especially considering that individuals are often products of THEIR OWN ERAS. The socialistic elements and factors of the 1960's effected it's youth in drastically different ways than that of the 1930's and 40's. Sure, there were wars going on during both of those periods, but the things that were unfolding back in the united States were like day and night when contrasted to one another.

Muhammad Ali was a young African American celebrity, just as Joe Louis was, but one that was affected by politcal tides such as affirmative action. While Ali was certainly a spokes person of his community, his words and actions were also influenced by much louder voices such as Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Martin Luther King. Joe Louis was embraced as a hero by all Americans during his day as champion, whereas Ali was considered a hero to some and a villain to others........

 

As Magoo says, Ali then was a young African American who spoke out and stood up for his brethren.

The Vietnamese were themselves a coloured people, though of a different type.

On the other hand Hitler stood for the supremacy of the Aryan (white, caucasian) race and had nothing but contempt and hatred for other races.

I am sure that Ali would have joined the efforts of his country against Hitler and the Nazis.

 

On the surface, this may indeed appear to be something that he likely would have done. The difference however, is that Ali's battle was not about the views of foreign dictators abroad. He ( and many other Americans, both black and white ), were disenchanted with the way African Americans were being treated, and affirmative action during the 60's is what brought about great change and the conflicts that are often associated with such movements.

The North Vietnamese was imposing its will upon the south to convert to cummunism. This is a drastic breach of what Americans and other western countries view as true freedom ( though I don't truly believe that Vietnam was fought with the south vietnamese' best interest in mind ). Ali's response as well as that of many others was " No Vietnamese ever called me a n*****". The position basicall stemmed from the notion of " Why should I give my life to defend a country that doesn't treat me as equal? " Would Ali have had these views had he been born around 1915 and grew up during an era where affirmative action was not an issue? The answer goes back to my earlier statement about people being products of their given generation, therebye making the statement almost impssible to answer.

 

Well Ali and army didnt defend the USA in that war. It was defended OTHER country. Like we did in South Korea against the North. Or even WWII with France.

Not sure if Ali would have join the USA army in the 40's. It was a differnt type of war though with Hitler trying to take over the world though. So maybe had Germany won D-Day, and started sended in troops to take over the USA, he might have joion had it gone to that point. Assuming a Germany victory overseas vs England and Russia of couse.

 

Alis comments during the Olympics and early in his pro career suggest to me he would have acted Louis like if not for the social uprising in the 60s and in particular without the NOIs influence.

 

That's a very good point.

 

Ali did not comit most of his more controvertial act untill after he had won the title.

I think that he would have been savy enough to keep his head down untill he was the champion.

 

His membership in The Nation had started to leak, though, and the promoter threatened to call off the fight with Liston if Ali didn't publicly deny he was a muslim. But he refused.

 

I suspect that if he had been coming up in the 30s he would have posponed membership untill he was champion. People tend to be realistic.

Even Jack Johnson carefully managed his media image before he won the title and he convinced some of the press that he would be a Joe Louis type champion. Ali like Johnson was charismatic and would have been able to show people what they wanted to see.

 

Seeing as though a Nazi probably never called him a n igger..would that warrant him not going?

 

So its better to NOT be called a n igger, than to be put in a death camp??

It was not just the Jews Hitler put there, Black War prisoners enjoy the same right.

So Mister Smith, I wont call you a n igger, but what would you perfer?? Gas or shot?? We have a special shower for you if you like?

 

And lets not forget Hitler's race cleansen. All White power was his plan. He would have turn on Japan sooner or later imo.

 

I thought it was pretty clear that was just a smart arse remark...When asked why he didnt want to go to Vietnam that was Ali's reply..So if he was to say that in that situation , would he have said it in the other? ..Obviously that wasnt the reason he didnt go, hence the smartarse theme of the post.