Memorial for Muhammad Ali

The world watched the proceedings in Louisville yesterday as many paid their tribute to a great man including the participation of religious leaders.  Ali's Islamic faith was highlighted.  The tearing down of walls was referenced concerning racial, religious and cultural barriers.  Jewish Rabbis even made condemnation remarks about Israel’s occupation. 

The significance of Ali’s life was made clear even in death.

And he was born in the United States of America where he was able to find his voice, his spiritual calling, his career, and fight for what he believed with courage in the face of opposition - whether in the ring or in the media.  He did so with strength and humor.  I saw him come through an airport when he was in a wheelchair with his bodyguards around him - and people were reaching for his hand and wanting his autographs and all ages, of any ethnic appearance, seemed in awe.

Today's children of the boomer generation have no idea what the world was like in which their parents fought for their rights - whether black athletes, women, farm workers, people of different sexual persuasion, - all entitled to the freedoms our representative democracy promises - and can deliver - continues to deliver with the help of political processes that respect all people and don't promote one religious platform or deny the equality of all humans.

Unfortunately, many young men went into the fight game because that was their only opportunity for a career - there were no golf courses in the streets of the inner cities. Boxing is one of many sports that potentially damage the brain because their main focus is contact.

So, while we honor the man, we must also recognize his three decades of illness due to his career choice and continue our concern for athletes who may face the same futures.

Well said, DK.  The effects of getting hit in the head repeatedly over the course of years will cause damage. There are other sports that highlight and celebrate damage to the opponent.  We see that in football where an opponent is taken out and some of them sustained life-time injuries.  In car racing the fans want to see cars crash.  Inflicting pain is celebrated. 
I watched a great soccer match last night between England and Russia.  England was in the lead and then the referee tacked on three minutes (supposedly for injury time) and it was during the extended time that Russia scored a goal with the game ending in a tie.  After the game the hooligan fans took to the streets and with fights breaking out between Russian and English fans.  This is nothing new for Hooligans that travel to games for the sole purpose of creating havoc in some form.
We talk about liberty and fighting for rights, yet there is a danger in letting the "fight" get out of hand.  It seems that there are those who enjoy the fight part and use any cause to justify it.