Was Muhammad Ali correct in refusing to go to Vietnam?

Question

Yes.
The argument goes that he was unpatriotic for refusing to fight for his country. Fight for whose country?
American troops had no business being in Vietnam as it was an internal struggle that had nothing to do with the USA, which is why the US lost, at a cost of 50 000 lives. There was nothing to gain - gain being the only reason a war is waged.

Ali was 100% correct in refusing to participate in what was essentially a pointless conflict. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

Brad I agree with you as far as it being a mans decision not to go. Ali lost 3 years of his career and the Nation of Islam turned its back on him. What did the U.S. lose by Muhammad Ali not appearing in boxing exhibitions for 2 to 4 years? He never would have stepped on the soil over there. Ali made the right decision for his religious beliefs. He was a conscience objector and was legally taken through the system.

Answer 2

The blobbaba has nothing but complete and total respect for the way Muhammad Ali lived/lives is life. His stance on the Vietnam war was just, and his choice one of the most selfless acts in American history. Ali had everything to lose, and nothing to gain by refusing service, it would have been a cake walk for him much the way Joe Louis served, with easy duty and celebrity status the whole hitch. Standing up for his beliefs cost him more than bowing to the politicians of the time frame would have. It show a character and spirit the blogbaba only wishes more of us could have.

Ali will forever be "the greatest" as much for what he did outside the ring as for his accomplishments as a boxer.

He was an American leader when this country desperately needed one, and historical circumstances will never allow for one such as he again. One of the most influential people of modern times, and a truly a spokesman for all of humanity.

Answer 3

He refused induction into the service period.Who says he was going to VietNam?A lot of guys went to Germany or Korea.Do you actually think they would have put Ali in Combat? Joe Louis just toured bases and shook hands and put on little boxing exhibitions.Ali just hated the Govt. and wanted nothing to do with Patriotism.Especially at that time ,he was all about the Black muslims and hating "Whitey".It was a time when riots were prevailant and Black Power was even in the Olympics,unlike Geo. Foreman who waved a little American Flag when he won.That's a class act.The only celebrity who saw combat was Gary Lewis (Jerry Lewis' son) of the pop band Gary Lewis and the Playboys,and he is white.

Answer 4

History states that the man was vindicated. Brad & Santana nailed it.
Addition - A previous answerer stated that no one is above the law. Well food for thought; Ali didn't go to Canada, burn his draft card. He appealed his conviction through the different levels of the legal system until he was found not guilty by the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court.
I say this and I am a proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces, who served his country in Desert Storm.

Answer 5

Brad ~
You answered your own question, with the words that I would have used. My family history of serving our country is well documented here at Yahoo Answers, I've lost my Father in Nam, my second oldest brother in the Persian Gulf War and my youngest brother during his third tour in Iraq. I think I'm qualified to give a answer about patriotism.

It was his Constitutional right to refuse to go to war. He didn't run, he didn't hide like so many others did, he stood there and faced the music and said "Do to me what you want." and paid his price and keeps paying the price.

The man was judged and continues to be.

Answer 6

of course everyone has a right to thier own opinion. if you were told not asked to go to iraq to fight without choice what would you say?
i personally know Ali and i stand behind him 100%


Your Champ,

Steve "HAMMERFISTS" Tipping.
Pro Kickboxer and Instructor.
Former ISKA Mid Weight Champion.
3 Time World Muay Thai Champion.
Former Oceanic and Australasian Champ.
MOBILE: [phone]
PO BOX 818
Nerang
Queensland Australia 4211
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
http://www.usmta.com/WMTIC%20MAIN%20FRAME.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kickboxing/
http://groups.msn.com/MuayThaiKickboxing/
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/hubcit/Australianboxingclubs.html
http://www.geocities.com/muaythaigreat/HAMMERFISTS.html
http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/muaythaigreat
http://uk.geocities.com/muaythaigreat/HAMMERFISTS
http://www.geocities.com/muaythaigreat/ MuayThai.html
http://www.usmta.com/Steve%20Hammerfist-Tipping.htm
http://members.optusnet.com.au/hammerfists/

Answer 7

He was correct.
The 60s was a time of strife in USA. The blacks were beginning to become a political force, the Nation of Islam (NoI) being their most prominent face. Numerous young black men were campaigning for black civil rights, especially in the south, where their were still segregation in hotels and restaurants.

The draft boards in the south USA in those days almost always constituted white men. And these white men overwhelmingly used to draft black men, especially black activists.

Ali was deliberately victimised for his refusal to draft. They wanted to draft him because, though he was not an activist, he was a member of NoI and a critic of the 'white' government.

Answer 8

Ali was correct in not going to war because it is he religous freedom and belief. The arguement that it was unpatriotic is bs. Him choosing his religous beliefs is as American as you can get. America was founded upon the belief that we could worship freely and live freely. By forcing someone to go to war against their religious beliefs is wrong and if that is unpatriotic then we may as well go back to living under the rule of Britian. We fought a revolution so that people could live under freedom and worship as they believe. Ali was 100% right in not going into a war he did not believe in.

Answer 9

I think Muhammad Ali was neither correct nor wrong in his refusal to participate in that war. He was wrong not to go because he did not express his patriotism for his country. He was correct because he did not support the meaningless violence.

Answer 10

He followed his heart. It's all the a person can do. He didn't run to Canada and take out citizenship. He stood his ground and paid the price. You can agree or disagree with what he did but we can all agree the at least in his own mind, he did the right thing.