Standing for Equality: Jackie Robinson vs. Muhammad Ali

Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali are known as two of the greatest athletes that ever lived.  They both completely changed the way society viewed their sport.

Along with dominating and revolutionizing their respective sports, they were known for taking social stands on pressing issues; such as politics, national wars, and the Civil Rights Movement.  During the Civil Rights Movement, both Ali and Robinson decided that they were going to risk their careers and reputations to stand up for what they believed in.  The ironic thing is how different their approaches were to try to attain the same goal.  First, Jackie Robinson became a very close friend with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Jackie was with Dr. King when he was heading the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s.  However, Muhammad Ali found refuge and likeness in the Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.  As Robinson and Ali both fought for equality, their role models for equality both expressed themselves in completely different ways. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his opinions being voiced, his famous speeches, and his nonviolent approaches to voice equality.  Malcolm X on the other hand, was a very vocal movement leader who was not afraid to be involved in, or plan on, violence. 

Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali both had the common goal of equality for all.  The sides that they chose reflected their personalities and views.  The leaders that they chose to follow also reflected upon their career; and the fact that the Civil Rights Movement was a success, made them heroes in a sense.  Most of all their morals showed that a nation-changing movement is far more important than a sport.