A five-year-old African-American boy stood beside his mother crying in a five and dime store in Louisville, Kentucky.  He was thirsty and wanted a glass of water and was refused because the store was segregated in 1947.  That boy was Muhammed Ali.  He knew then he had to fight for everything he achieved, and later found that the boxing ring provided an arena where he would be successful.

I hate boxing and wish that it would be banned.   However, for Muhammed Ali (aka Cassius Clay), this sport provided an opportunity for success, money, and movement beyond racial barriers.  His fame grew with every successful fight, but in 1967 he would have the fight of his life when he registered as a conscientious objector and refused to enlist in the army and fight in Vietnam.  He paid a price for many years for his principled decision.  He was banned from boxing for three years until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor.  He was stripped of his championship title by the World Boxing Association and was forced to give up his passport.  In cities around the country he was ridiculed and threatened.

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