But, this is also a special birthday week for another great one who like Dr. King fought and battled oppression and White supremacy - that being Muhammad Ali.
Ali is turning 67 this January 17th. He is factually "The Greatest" fighter that will likely ever live.
Here are a few pieces of great footage of Ali making sure the world was clear about who this great young Black man was, and then below also find Parts 1 and then here find parts 2-10 of the entire fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali for the Heavyweight Championship of the world. Exhibiting this fight is not so much about the physical battle - two Black men beating up on another, but rather reflects the perseverance, the determination, the will and the excellence Muhammad Ali was able to bring forth in each and every presentation outside of the ring. We'll need a similar fusion of great training, brilliance and endurance to usher us past this rise of dangerous national behavior we are witnessing.
Grab some popcorn this coming weekend and enjoy this incomparable gracefulness Ali brings to this historic bout.
As you do, don't forget what is often cloaked to make folk feel comfortable: that Muhammad Ali was a revolutionary, dissenter, anti-war demonstrator, resister and troublemaker evidenced throughout online including at "Revolt of the Black Athlete: The Hidden History of Muhammad Ali."
Also, look for other references to Muhammad ali at Finalcall.com and other online places and spaces.
First, this rather rare footage of Muhammad Ali as a young man, laying his claim.
"I"m only bold and cocky before and after the fight," 1962
"Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali" (Muhammad, meaning "worthy of all praises," and Ali, meaning "most high"). Listen to the tone of voice of the reporter who seems none too happy with the idea - Why do you "insist" upon being called Muhammad Ali."
Jack Johnson
Muhammad Ali Outside Liston Camp
1977 Interview, Muhammad Ali With The Jackson 5
Part 2
Ali Pre Fight, Liston
Muhammad Speaks
It's Okay to Believe
Review of Redemption Song: Muhammad Ali and the Spirit of the Sixties, by Michael Marqusee
'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 - Muhammad Ali
How Would You Like For People to Think of You When You're Gone?
Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali is my Friend and My Brother
As Muhammad Ali visited the ruins of the World Trade Center and CNN reporters ran to him to ask him "how do you feel about the suspects sharing his Islamic faith."
Ali responded pleasantly, "How do you feel about Hitler sharing yours?"
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