Ali, bomaye

“When we were Kings” is not only about a fight that took place between two legends of the boxing world, it is a glimpse at how different elements in the world can be intertwined together- namely, sports and politics. The one person who did a tremendous job at linking the two is none other than the greatest, Muhammad Ali.

Before watching this documentary, I was indifferent towards this man whom people speak so greatly off but all it took were 82 mins to make me truly respect and admire this man for who he was. People with a cocky attitude often piss me off but there was something charismatic and magical about the way Ali was overconfident. The one thing about him that struck me the most was that for him, boxing was not a career in itself. It was not about him, it was about the people. He fought for bringing prestige to the black people of Africa.

“King is going home to his throne”.

Despite being a renowned Afro American boxing legend, his heart was in Africa and to him, going to Zaire to fight , in the plane filled with black crew and personnel, was a homecoming of sorts (as propagated by Saidiya Hartman in her stories). He was the light at end of the tunnel for the African community. He was their guardian angel who reminded them of their true worth and as a genuine role model, urged them to look within and find their own strength instead of replicating the white people. In my opinion, for Ali, boxing was about gaining respect for people of all colors.

God gives talent to us humans but it is what we do with that talent which ultimately makes a difference and this is where Ali’s greatness comes into play. Through hi boxing victories and presence, he wanted to educate the brainwashed African people, make them think for themselves and equip them with the art of self-knowledge.  Muhammad Ali did not fight only his own fights but when he stepped in the ring he fought for the global south, all the colored peoples of the world and for all those were persecuted.

Ali was a living example of how one can revolutionize the world with words, thoughts and action. At one point in the film, Foreman says “I’m blacker than Ali” and believes that he also deserves the same appreciation of people that they so whole heartedly gave to Ali. This got me thinking that the color of the skin (either black or white) has got nothing to do with how impactful one can be. Ali, who was lighter skinned as compared to many black people, fought for black dignity, for black affirmation and wanted to heal the world for the blacks, through his God gifted talent of boxing. He even fought for black identity when he fought against black fighters because those black fighters carried the weight of American expectations.

Ali was a living embodiment of his poem, “Me, we”.

Ali’s success to some might be gauged by his athletic victories, but for me, his attempt at liberating black people through boxing and making a conscious effort to ensure that these people regain national consciousness, is what makes him a one of a kind. A gem.

I wonder if the world would ever see another Ali, a people’s champion in the truest sense.

Ali, bomaye.