Draft Dodger
In 1967, a man considered “the greatest” in boxing was inducted into the military. The Vietnam War had begun and the Selective Service Act was now recruiting soldiers for battle. However, Muhammad Ali refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. To some it may seem that Ali was doing no wrong by standing up for his beliefs. I on the other hand, feel that Ali was dodging the draft intentionally. By following a “higher law” of conscience he would be able to succeed in this task. Ali had the title of “heavyweight champion” and would do anything to retain that. A man, who was a dominant figure during the 1960s, thought he would have no trouble at all evading the draft amongst the rioting and protest in America. Ali, known for showing his courageous strength in the violent sport of boxing successfully evaded the draft. His avoidance of war insinuates war as being immoral and more brutal than in his career as a boxer. No longer, the greatest boxer of all time, Ali stood as a coward, not willing to fight for his own country. After Muhammad Ali became heavyweight champion, Ali decided to change his religion to Islam. Elijah Mohammed, the founder of the Nation of Islam, changed his birth name Cassius Cl . . .
Men were dying in Vietnam, while Ali remained in the United States unharmed. In order for the government in the United States to maintain order, laws must be put into place. Although this may seem like a pretty worthy punishment, it was no punishment at all. Ali said rather frankly, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong” (“Infoplease. Ali was breaking these prescribed laws of the state, and following this “higher law” of conscience. Other Americans were fighting for their country and not given this luxury/opportunity of spending five years in jail. -Berkeley, students were standing up for their beliefs and were going to great extremes (setting fire to and bashing cars) until these beliefs were allowed to be practiced. After breaking a law, a citizen would then be given a certain punishment for whatever crime has been committed. A law was broken and punishment was not given. As a Black Muslim, Ali now felt he would not participate in the killing in Vietnam. The Constitution set laws for the citizens of the United States to adhere to. This “higher law” of conscience which Ali sought was from the Islamic faith. ay to the Muslim name “Muhammad Ali” (“Infoplease. The prescribed laws in our country during the 1960s were very susceptible to protest.
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Acceptance Essays
