Muhammad Ali's public opposition of the Vietnam War inspired social change in America by promoting a new image of a black American as defiant, confident, and demanding of equality. In a time when black Americans were expected to keep quiet in society, Ali took advantage of his fame to act as a voice against discrimination. Ali advocated for the rights of black Americans, justifying his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War by stating that America's issues were domestic and not with the Vietnamese. In addition, Ali's refusal to fight in the war because of his religious beliefs further supported his opposition and showed him as a symbol of black independence. Overall, Ali's bold stance against the war gave black Americans a new type of leader to follow and showed them to stand by what they believe in and speak out against their oppressors.

             .

             Muhammad Ali's willingness to go to jail rather than fight in the Vietnam War demonstrated his commitment to his beliefs and made him a figure of black resistance and perseverance for black Americans to emulate. For example, when questioned about his refusal to fight in the war, Ali responded by asking, "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs?" (Zirin). Ali also made it clear that he believed "the real enemy of [his] people [was in America] (Thibault). He once boldly said to a group of reporters, "I'm not gonna help nobody get something my Negroes don't have! If I'm gonna die, I'll die right now, fighting you! " (Muhammad). Ali's controversial comments fueled the growing "anti-war sentiment" throughout the country causing more Americans to question the war and its motives while simultaneously bringing attention to domestic civil rights issues (Zirin).

             .

             America was not accustomed to the loud and proud demeanor of Ali, which helped inspire black Americans to fight for social change.