Laying the Foundation for Change: Muhammad Ali & the Civil Rights Movement
Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay television program, 1964
Donated by George Kalinsky in 2015.
Muhammad Takes a Stand
On February 26, 1964, the day after winning the World Heavyweight Championship against Sonny Liston, Ali announced himself as a member of the Nation of Islam. He then renounced his surname, taking the name Cassius X. Not long after, he would be given the name Muhammad Ali by NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. Ali was adamant about being addressed by his new name, referring to his birth name as his “slave name.” By choosing to change his name, represent his religion, and do so unapologetically, Ali demonstrated his devotion to his convictions and his spirituality. Simultaneously, protests in the South would peak as younger generations started to stand up against Jim Crow.
During this year, Ali also made his inaugural journey to Africa, where he visited Ghana, Egypt, and Nigeria, with the purpose of connecting with his ancestral roots. Ali's travels deeply effected him and fortified within him a global approach to what would be his lifelong commitment to social justice and humanitarian causes.
Sonny Liston versus Cassius Clay Boxing Match Television Program, February 25, 1964
