Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Muhammad Ali: Michael Parkinson interview shows boxer's powerful statement on racism

Ali’s words were a stark statement on what it was to be black in America

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 06 June 2016 15:08 BST
Comments
Michael Parkinson interview shows Muhammad Ali'spowerful statement on racism

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

As people remember the most iconic moments (and there are many) of boxer Muhammad Ali’s life, many are turning to the interview he did with Michael Parkinson in 1971, where, more than 40 years later, his words still resonate.

In the clip, Ali responds to the reaction he received to his discussions of racism - "not all white people" – with a perfect explanation for why the existence of some "good" white people was inadequate.

"There are many white people who mean right and in their heart wanna do right," he said. "If 10,000 snakes were coming down that aisle now, and I had a door that I could shut, and in that 10,000, 1,000 meant right, 1,000 rattlesnakes didn’t wanna bite me, I knew they were good…

"Should I let all those rattlesnakes come down, hoping that that thousand get together and form a shield? Or should I just close the door and stay safe?

"Do you understand?" he asks.

"In Viet Cong they’re not all bad but Americans still [sic] dropping bombs. In Hiroshima Japan weren’t bad but they dropped a bomb. In Korea they weren’t bad but they still dropped a bomb.

"So now I’m going to forget the 400 years of lynching and killing and raping and depriving my people of freedom and justice and equality… and I’m gonna look at two or three white people who are trying to do right and ignore the million trying to kill me? I’m not that big of a fool."

Ali’s words were a stark statement on what it was to be black in America, and how the “not all white people” defence only served to downplay the discrimination experienced by African Americans in all aspects of their lives.

Arrangements are currently being made for Ali’s funeral, which will take place on Friday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Louisville mayor Greg Fischer told Sky News that he expected an "outpouring of love" for the three-time world heavyweight champion.

"Our city is going to be sending him off with great class, dignity and respect," he said.

"We hope the world will be inspired to live up to the values of Ali, which were compassion and unity and bring people together, lifting people up."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in