In recent years, we have lost quite a few celebrities. Some of them were my own lifelong favorites. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Joe Frazier, David Bowie, and of course, most recently, the greatest of all time, the one and only, the great Muhammad Ali.
Ali had been living with Parkinson’s disease for years and ultimately passed away due to the illness. I had hoped for years that a cure would be found before losing Ali. But that hope will never come to pass; the greatest is gone.
After his passing, I saw many individuals expressing their sadness, and even more praising all that he accomplished during his lifetime. I shared a touching interview with Big George Foreman, and I saw many emotional tributes to the champ.
There were also those who took issue with certain aspects of Ali’s life, including his views and his Muslim faith. It is worth noting, however, the many contributions he made throughout his lifetime. He helped secure the release of 15 American hostages from Iraq. He spoke openly about the cost of the Vietnam War on human lives. He advocated for justice and equality during a time when segregation and discrimination were very real obstacles, having won Olympic gold for the United States while still facing racial barriers such as being refused service at segregated restaurants. Those experiences understandably shaped his perspective.
Love him or not, you cannot deny that Muhammad Ali left a profound mark on this world. Though I never met him, I’m glad I lived during his lifetime.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens.
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