As I reflect on Muhammad Ali's death, I am reminded of what I
constantly tell my young sons,
"always do what's right because it's right". Muhammad Ali's
life is a testament that the moment might not reward doing what is right but
nothing is greater than remaining true to one’s convictions.
History always unveils that righteousness reigns over expedience.
Courage gazes beyond the moment into the future, questioning:
What's at stake when we "go along to get
along" (maintaining the status quo),
even though we believe or know it's wrong?
In the case of the Vietnam War, over 1.3 million people died because
unlike Muhammad Ali, the majority (of leaders and people) lacked courage to
resist the albatross of misguided nationalism.
Courage isn't discovered in towing the company line of any
system/culture/nation. True courage emerges when a person/people cross lines
of acceptability daring to trudge through and against the mob of cultural
norms.
Courage doesn't belong to the people seated in the arena! Courage
is the price and reward garnered by people (the woman, the man, the child) who
step in the ring of adversity and “fight for"
what they believe.
Muhammad Ali stepped in the ring/arena standing with an indomitable
commitment to justice and equity for all human beings, particular oppressed
people of color. By rejecting induction to the draft at the height of
nationalism, Ali stood against imperialism, war, and oppression accepting the
repercussions of imprisonment, demonization and being labeled a traitor.
The depth of Ali’s convictions was such that losing his livelihood
and prestige were minor sacrifices toward the pursuit of peace, justice and
equity for all humanity.
The World’s Champion modeled courage and the fighter spirit both
in the ring and in the arena of life. Ali's legacy demonstrates every human
being has the capacity to champion her/his convictions.
What else can we learn from Muhammad Ali?
When someone resolves to remain firm in their beliefs,
God gives birth to an undeterred courage.
My prayer is that we become champions for the oppressed believing
God will give us an impregnable courage to face and overcome the adversity
awaiting us!
When we "do what's right because it's right", we act courageously and we become instruments of love, mercy and grace;
moreover, we are God's agents of healing and deliverance from pain/suffering!
May each of us dare to act with courage even at the cost of losing, knowing courage gazes into the future giving birth to champions who act in the moment.
May each of us dare to act with courage even at the cost of losing, knowing courage gazes into the future giving birth to champions who act in the moment.
To God be the Glory!!
All Praises be to Allah!!
Much Love,
Marcus
