Widely considered to be the greatest heavyweight boxer the world has ever seen, the legacy of Muhammad Ali extends far beyond the ring. Throughout his career, he was outspoken about racial injustices and inequality. He had a perspective that was difficult to ignore or argue with.
In this clip from a 1971 interview with talk-show host Michael Parkinson, the three-time world heavyweight champion relates how, as a kid, he would pester his mother with questions, especially when he wondered why everything ‘white’ was portrayed as ‘good’ and everything ‘black’ as ‘bad.’
Even though the interview is more than 50 years old, Ali’s wit is remarkable and his words are as salient as ever. Did you ever ask yourself similar questions as a kid?
(For more on this theme of ‘white = good’ versus ‘black = bad,’ check out this week’s Facts of the Week!)