Muhammad Ali speaking at the University of Iowa, 19 Nov 1967.
Source: 21 Nov. 1967 Daily Iowan
The following are selection from the front page story by Mike Barry, sports editor:
He laughs, he jokes, he shuffles his way into your fancy. To meet Muhammad Ali is to like him. To know him must be both pleasure and privilege. … Muhammad Ali seems to possess a dynamic zest for living. You may see it erupt in the exciting spasms of the Ali Shuffle. Or watch it bud in a hug and squeeze of children, then blossom with a message of brotherly love.
“My conscience is happy,“ he said. "I’m not scared of nuthin. I’m a man of faith.” He talked like a man of faith. Evidently, he is acting like one, too. He has reportedly turned down millions of dollars in commercial and investment royalties due to his "strict religious beliefs.” …
“And we who declare ourselves to be righteous Muslims don’t take part in wars. That rule was written before I was born, so it’s nuthin new. If I’m not sincere about this whole thing, then I’m crazy,” said Ali … "I’m not on trial, justice is on trial.”
Still Ali has been tried and sentenced by a court of law for his convictions — for refusing to be inducted into the Army. The fighter could enter the Army and probably do virtually nothing but stage exhibition bouts. Yet he won’t, because he believes, he says, that he has more important work to do here and now. He is free on bond pending the outcome of his appeal.
"A Frankenstein was created during 300 years of slavery. Now it’s backfirin on ya,” he said. "In the past, the black man has seen a white Santa Claus, a white Jesus and white angels. The colored angels were probably in the kitchen preparing milk and honey.” …
"We believe in knowledge of self to overcome this slavery amnesia. People make the ghetto. A $4 billion project in the ghetto would be a hole in six months, because the black man does not have the knowledge of himself. A man must have this knowledge of himself before he can be free and know where he’s goin. My role as a Black Muslim minister is to teach the people, to make them better citizens. We’ll take ‘em off your back.”
These comments and others concerning his future and attitudes were prompted by questions from the audience. He said that his future in boxing was “dead right now, because this Army thing is so serious.”
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