Lyn Erickson: Ali too violent to serve as a pacifist’s hero

It may be frowned on by some to say what I will say at this particular time, but I think it needs to be said. As much as I admired Muhammad Ali for many things, he was not my hero. The reason: I don’t think you can claim to be a pacifist it you make your living as a prize fighter.

I made the same decision he made, to not be available to Selective Service for combat duty. I admired him as he led the African Americans of this country to assert their rightful place as American citizens. But there was a seam in his armor that kept me from fully considering him to be my hero – the violence that was part of what he did for a living.

So why am I writing this? I believe there are many other Americans who see this as I do. Give him all the accolades he was entitled to. But a pacifist he was not. Thank you, Muhammad Ali, for all you did; this nation owes you a lot. Even though you are not my hero, you did cut a huge swath through American history for the good.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Lyn Erickson: Ali too violent to serve as a pacifist’s hero."