Stream now with KPBS Passport / Watch Thursdays, Aug. 14 - Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2.
MUHAMMAD ALI also captures Ali’s principled resistance to the Vietnam War, his steadfast commitment to his Muslim faith, and his complex relationships withWhile he is largely celebrated today as an icon of American sport and culture, Ali was not always widely embraced.
At times he was reviled by many in American society, especially white Americans and white members of the media, who rejected his faith and feared his involvement with the Nation of Islam.and refused induction into the United States Army, citing his religious beliefs — a stance that would result in five years of legal jeopardy and a three-and-a-half-year banishment from boxing., and his life, legacy and impact have been a defining theme for its coverage of the intersection of race, sports and culture in America. Utilizing both its own staff writers and a lengthy roster of historians and authors,on the complex threads of Ali’s life, as well as reporting on the outsized influence he has had on current debates about the role of the Black athlete and activist in the American story.Ali’s story is full of contradictions. Despite his competitive reputation and ruthless athleticism in the ring, he went on to become a symbol for peace and pacifism. Though committed to a faith that expected obedience and dignified conduct, he was notoriously unfaithful to his wives, at times publicly flaunting his affairs. Ali was a clever showman with an unparalleled genius for promotion and turn of phrase, who occasionally allowed his partners and friends to take advantage of him. He endlessly trumpeted his own greatness as a boxer, but anonymously donated to save a Jewish old age home, made surprise visits to pediatric hospitals and signed autographs for every last fan. - Boxer Cassius Clay rises up the amateur ranks to win gold at the 1960 Olympics. He turns professional, sharpening his boxing skills and honing his genius for self-promotion. In 1964, he upsets- Cassius Clay publicly joins the Nation of Islam and takes the name Muhammad Ali. When he refuses induction into the Army, he is stripped of his title and forced into exile. After three years, he returns to the ring, but he's lost a step.- Muhammad Ali battles his fiercest rival, Joe Frazier, and the U.S. government, as he attempts to regain the heavyweight title. He first loses to and then defeats Frazier, but to become champion again, he will have to beat George Foreman. - Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman, winning back the heavyweight title and becoming the most famous man on earth. After retiring in 1981, he travels the world spreading his Islamic faith, and becomes a symbol of peace and hope., a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast.Ali’s daughters Hana Ali and Rasheda Ali, his second wife Khalilah Ali, his third wife Veronica Porche, and his brother and confidant Rahaman Ali“He was arguably America’s greatest athlete, and his unflinching insistence that he be unabashedly himself at all times made him a beacon for generations of people around the world seeking to express their own humanity.”“Ali’s principled opposition to the Vietnam War and deeply affecting message of racial pride were remarkable then and equally so now,”“His actions and words speak to his character and also to his influence as an athlete who used his celebrity to speak out about injustices that he could not tolerate.” “Muhammad Ali remains one of the most iconic figures in American history. He has been studied and modeled and quoted extensively, and his life’s story is central to understanding the modern Black athlete and this period of activism and social change that The Undefeated has been privileged to chronicle,”“We are proud to collaborate with PBS and Ken Burns to host this exciting conversation series on the meaning of Ali and his lasting legacy.”Jen is a web producer at KPBS, responsible for program promotion, membership-related activities, and is the editor of the KPBS community calendar. Jen has worked at KPBS since 2000. She is originally from Las Vegas and attended UNLV.San Diego Zoo mural honors 3 beloved animals lost in 1 weekKPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rahaman Ali, brother of Muhammad Ali and former heavyweight boxer, dies at 82Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of Muhammad Ali and a former boxer, has died at the age of 82, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, said Saturday.
Read more »
Legendary Boxer’s Heavyweight Brother Dies at 82Rahaman Ali, the younger brother of Muhammad Ali, has died.
Read more »
Chicago & Friends: Live At 55Stream now with KPBS Passport! / Watch Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. on KPBS 2 + 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. on KPBS 2. Join the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers as they perform their greatest hits with special guests Steve Vai, Chris Daughtry, Robert Randolph, Robin Thicke, VoicePlay, Judith Hill, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and more.
Read more »
Tommy Emmanuel (CGP): Live at the Sydney Opera HouseStream now with KPBS Passport / Watch Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. on KPBS 2 + 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. on KPBS 2. Join the guitar virtuoso for magical performances in his native Australia recorded in May 2023.
Read more »
NOVA: Critical Condition: Health In Black AmericaStream now with the PBS app / Watch Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2.
Read more »
SECRETS OF THE DEAD: The End of the RomansStream now with KPBS Passport / Watch Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, Aug. 31 at 10 pm. on KPBS 2.
Read more »