# Discussion of Ali being racist \[mod title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 4, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549 "2016-06-04T19:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/141 "2016-06-10T16:23:05Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > Given what Ali suffered through, I think we can give him a bit of a pass on many things. Giving him a pass, while inexcusable, is one thing. Completely manipulating his image–from racist to hero–is another. Are you one of those people who sympathizes with old nazis? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/142 "2016-06-10T16:25:53Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What the fuck does “supported” mean? That he gave Monopoly money? You were given many valid reasons, all of which you dismissed without _any_ valid reason. It’s rather obvious now that you are going to trash-talk this man no matter what other say or put forth as evidence, and that any attempting to fulfill any request from you is just a waste of time and effort. If giving money to charity makes someone hero-worthy, many a bad men will be anointed as such. Ali was a magnificent boxer. But as a person, he was a dim-witted racist. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/143 "2016-06-10T16:28:39Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Apparently Mohammed Ali beat him up as a child or something. I’m simply someone who doesn’t admire racists. Why are so many so accepting of such behavior? Because he could box? Because he was a loud and polarizing personality? It’s sad, really. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/144 "2016-06-10T16:35:02Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > Ali was a magnificent boxer. But as a person, he was a dim-witted racist. Even if the latter were true, he would still be one up on you. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/145 "2016-06-10T17:37:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Even if the latter were true, he would still be one up on you. Burn? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/146 "2016-06-10T17:41:56Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > I’m simply someone who doesn’t admire racists. > > Why are so many so accepting of such behavior? Because he could box? Because he was a loud and polarizing personality? > > It’s sad, really. So we should be seeing you real soon in the Donald Trump threads? Or are your targets only black heroes? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/147 "2016-06-10T17:44:13Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > I’m simply someone who doesn’t admire racists. You’re doing a mighty fine job of being racist in this thread, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/148 "2016-06-10T17:48:23Z")
I’m going to ask this again. GCD: Do you believe that humans can be perfect? _ **Then I’m going to ask for citations of your history of denigrating racists. Can you show us a single post on this board where you’ve said something negative about ANYONE ELSE for being racist?** _ Not including attacking other posters. I mean public figures. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/149 "2016-06-10T18:49:05Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > So we should be seeing you real soon in the Donald Trump threads? > > Or are your targets only black heroes? Ah, the left’s last resort. When they’re on the ropes, the accusations of racism are all that they have. You mentioned that my “targets” were black “heroes”, as in plural. Which other black heroes have I targeted? Black people, especially those whom lived in systematically-racist eras, are right when they say that white people will never know what it’s like to be black and have such racism vaulted at them. But they will never know what’s it’s like to be white and have every opinion you hold regarding a minority be questioned as racist. Such irresponsible accusations, insinuated by this poster, while more blatantly implied by the poster after him, are tactics used to discredit the character of those whom they simply disagree with. The cowardice of the left, on full display. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffes_Can_t_Dance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/150 "2016-06-10T18:52:32Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > You’re doing a mighty fine job of being racist in this thread, though. Here’s the other coward using an accusation of racism as a last resort. Please quote any of my posts in which I’m “doing a mighty fine job of being racist in this thread.” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/151 "2016-06-10T19:10:04Z")
So you’re too much of a coward to answer my actual question. And your only response is to whine about ‘the left’ and call other people racists. You’re nothing but an angry little man child with zero intellect or character. Done with you. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/152 "2016-06-10T19:37:35Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > I can’t “cite” something that doesn’t exist. You’re making the claim that X happened. The burden of proof is on you. No I’m not. You are – you say that he remained a racist. If so, then you should have some evidence. Not that I believe you’re actually interested in any reasonable discussion here. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/153 "2016-06-10T19:50:27Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > Having been on this site for a little while, I now understand how it works: > > If you wish to deny a factual statement or event that discredits your side of the debate, deny, deny, deny and use the “cite” or “link it” card. > > It’s part lazy, part denial. If you take a minute to google anything that I’ve stated about Ali, corroborating evidence will immediately pop up. Don’t be so lazy. > > Ali’s low-intellect and 78 IQ is widely known. In fact, and I’m paraphrasing here, Ali has a famous quote when discussion his IQ score (which he took with the Army): “I said I was the greatest of all-time, not the smartest.” And if you ever heard him speak, his lack of intelligence could be found in most statements, as is the case with most racists. > > Also, look up Ali’s appearance with the KKK. It’s quite remarkable. > > Mike Tyson held racist beliefs too. But upon “growing up” he disavowed them. Ali never did any such thing. He held such beliefs in his 30s, so unless disavowed, it’s safe to assume the he still holds them. A racist has never been given such benefit of doubt! > > Another one of Ali’s more famous exploits: he tried to get white boxers to publicly use the N-word in reference to him. When one refused, he simply lied and said he called him the N-word anyway. > > I dare the deniers to do some research on these well-known facts. If they’re not true, you can discredit me, right? I dare ya! Cite please … we here on the SDMB do rely on documented facts … it is you who are being lazy by not looking up the backing for your own personal opinions. For example: > [@](#): > > Then he apologized to the opponent he will forever be linked to, saying he was wrong to call Frazier an “Uncle Tom” and “too ugly to be the champ” 30 years ago, before the first entry in their boxing trilogy. The abuse continued into their third fight in Manila, where Ali likened Frazier to a gorilla. Chicago Tribune - [“Ali Offers, Frazier Accepts Apology For Verbal Abuse”](http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-03-15/sports/0103150316_1_muhammad-ali-apology-verbal-abuse) - March 15, 2001 Ali was no coward, it takes a REAL MAN to apologize when they’re being stupid jack-asses slinging barfed up apple pie without any citations … only a douche-bag would mistake this site for Yahoo Comments … and again, just an example … nothing personal dipwad ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/154 "2016-06-10T19:54:57Z")
YouTube video of a [Dancing Giraffe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUKE59XdFDk) … burn … ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/155 "2016-06-10T21:14:03Z")
[Here’s a sweet, interesting and enlightening article](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/seattle-woman-pen-pals-muhammad-ali-30-years-article-1.2668960) about the 30-year pen pal relationship Ali had with a fan which began when his correspondent was 12-years-old. Included are copies of some of their letters. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/156 "2016-06-10T21:49:10Z")
Ali invited Billy Crystal to do some early morning roadwork with him at a golf course. Crystal said he couldn’t join Ali because that course is part of a country club which didn’t allow Jews. Ali then stopped using that golf course. Cite: Billy Crystal speaking at Ali’s eulogy. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/157 "2016-06-10T23:33:23Z")
> [@Giraffes\_Can\_t\_Dance](#): > > Still waiting for the many reasons that Ali was “great”. Broomstick’s list of charities in which Ali “supported” was a desperate attempt. Anyone else wanna give it a real shot? > > Being great at a sport does not make one a great man; especially when said man promotes racism. > > Great men: **MLK** , Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, etc. Well right there you’ve got a good example of a great man with some flaws that people tend to overlook because his sum goodness outweighed the bad. [As the master has explained.](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2449/was-martin-luther-king-jr-a-plagiarist) (Sorry, don’t know much about the other two.) The flawless hero is a rare (perhaps mythical) creature. Maybe you can’t see past Ali’s flaws and consider his wrong-doings to be unforgivable. That’s a pity, considering he meant so much to so many people. Also, **Brookstic’s** provision of relevant information was not a “desperate attempt” at anything. It was a valid response indicative of a greater effort than you are willing to put into your own lame excuse of a thread, and probably far more effort than you deserve. Stop being a Jackass. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/158 "2016-06-10T23:43:45Z")
I like to think of myself as an Elder Statesman on this board, though the reality is that I’m a schmoe who hasn’t been banned yet, but I will put on my Elder Statesman robe and ask why this racist troll hasn’t been banned yet. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/159 "2016-06-11T01:01:02Z")
“I’m not gonna help nobody get something my negroes don’t have. If I’m gonna die, I’ll die now right here fighting you, if I’m gonna die. You my enemy. My enemies are white people, not Viet Congs or Chinese or Japanese. You my opposer when I want freedom. You my opposer when I want justice. You my opposer when I want equality. You won’t even stand up for me in America for my religious beliefs, and you want me to go somewhere and fight, but you won’t even stand up for me here at home.” "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 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’m not going 10,000 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 cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is 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. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years. " These things needed to be said, and they needed to be said when Muhammad Ali said them. Why have we forgotten them? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549/160 "2016-06-11T01:08:18Z")
It’s inconvenient and he wasn’t **really** talking about American blacks. :old rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-ali-being-racist-mod-title/756549.md?page=9)