Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than for March 21, 2022
March 14, 2022
March 28, 2022
Transcript:
This is the legend of Cassius Clay, the most beautiful fighter in the world today. He talks a great deal and brags indeedy, of a muscular punch that's incredibly speedy. The fistic world was dull and weary, but with a champ like liston, things had to be dreary. Then someone with color and someone with dash, brought fans a runnin' with cash. This brash young boxer is something to see and the heavyweight champion is his destiny. This kid fights great, he's got speed and endurance. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. When I say three, they'll go in the third, so don't bet against me. I'm a man of my word. This kid's got a left, this kid's got a right, If he hit you once, you're asleep for the night. And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts ten, you'll pray that you won't have to fight me again. This I predict and I know the score, I'll be champ of the world in '64. Yes I am the man this poem's about, I'll be champ of the world there isn't a doubt.
even better – Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay, 1942-2016) was outspoken about many political issues, including his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Ali was drafted by the United States military in 1966 and called up for induction in 1967. He attended the induction but refused to answer to his name or take the oath. This led to Ali’s arrest and conviction, which in June 1971 was overturned by the US Supreme Court.
In March 1967, one month before his scheduled military induction, Muhammad Ali explained why he would not be enlisting to fight in Vietnam:
“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?
No, I am not going ten thousand miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would put my prestige in jeopardy and could cause me to lose millions of dollars which should accrue to me as the champion.
But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is right here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality…
If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. But I either have to obey the laws of the land or the laws of Allah. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail. We’ve been in jail for four hundred years.”