Muhammad Ali was a great man - and a racist

Ali should certainly be remembered for his talent and charm, for his many charitable works and for being a great father and probably a great friend to those who knew him. But should he be offered the labels of saint and great humanitarian? I can’t buy that, not only because he refused the draft, but also because he was an integral part of an organisation that was blatantly racist and that referred to white people as “white devils”. 

I particularly resent the deification of Ali because, in my opinion, he was the prime motivator of the black policy of laying as much guilt as possible on white Americans, an attitude that stands to this day. 

I am not trying to cast a shadow over his memory. I know that his family will miss him. I am simply appealing to those white people who are singing his praises to take a closer look at his legacy as it applies to white Americans and America in general and to get past the brainwashing we were all subjected to for over 50 years.

John Arnone