Draft Dodger
In 1967, a man considered "the greatest" in boxing was inducted into the military. The Vietnam War had begun and the Selective Service Act was now recruiting soldiers for battle. However, Muhammad Ali refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. To some it may seem that Ali was doing no wrong by standing up for his beliefs. I on the other hand, feel that Ali was dodging the draft intentionally. By following a "higher law" of conscience he would be able to succeed in this task. Ali had the title of "heavyweight champion" and would do anything to retain that. A man, who was a dominant figure during the 1960s, thought he would have no trouble at all evading the draft amongst the rioting and protest in America. Ali, known for showing his courageous strength in the violent sport of boxing successfully evaded the draft. His avoidance of war insinuates war as being immoral and more brutal than in his career as a boxer. No longer, the greatest boxer of all time, Ali stood as a coward, not willing to fight for his own country. After Muhammad Ali became heavyweight champion, Ali decided to change his religion to Islam. Elijah Mohammed, the founder of the Nation of Islam, changed his birth name Cassius Cl
The prescribed laws in our country during the 1960s were very susceptible to protest. As evident in the protests at U.C.-Berkeley, students were standing up for their beliefs and were going to great extremes (setting fire to and bashing cars) until these beliefs were allowed to be practiced. Ali was breaking these prescribed laws of the state, and following this "higher law" of conscience. Laws are made to protect us from harm that may come our way. In order for the government in the United States to maintain order, laws must be put into place. Laws in the United States are rules that citizens must abide by under the government's authority. If a citizen were to break a law, he/she is then accountable for their actions. After breaking a law, a citizen would then be given a certain punishment for whatever crime has been committed. Laws are abided by, to avoid punishment, and to maintain order in the government. The Selective Service Act was a law that required all males over the age of 18, to enroll to be eligible for the draft, to go fight for America in the Vietnam War. This law was implemented to protect the safety and future of our country, by selecting qualified men to fight. Laws are made not to be broken, but Ali saw otherwise fit to break the law. This "higher law" of conscience which Ali sought was from the Islamic
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Approximate Word count = 904
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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