"Do What's Right Because It's Right!"

 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.

To God be the Glory!!

All Praises be to Allah!!

Much Love,

Marcus