By Alan Boiangu
Few go their entire lives without hearing the name Muhammad Ali, or his former name Cassius Clay. Few realize that they refer to the same person. For most, Muhammad Ali is a name synonymous with strength, power and American spirit. However, what about the man behind the heavyweight champion; who was Cassius Clay? The latest exhibit at the Emily Lowe Gallery answers this question.
Clay was born to Cassius Clay, Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay of Louisville, KY. in 1942. His father was named after the 19th century abolitionist and politician, Cassius Clay, an image that Ali would project throughout his life. Ali was driven to boxing at the age of 12 when his bicycle was stolen, and he reported the crime to then police officer and boxing coach, Joe E. Martin. Ali would proceed to train with both Martin and other boxing coaches throughout the Louisville area as he continued on his way to a professional career and national stardom among boxing enthusiasts and the general public.
Upon entering the Lowe gallery, one is immediately bombarded by photo after photo of Ali, each with a separate story. Among these haunting images of whom some may consider the most influential athlete in American history are excerpts taken from the photo-journalists’ recording on American icon.
One such photographer, Flip Schulke, had photos published in “Life” magazine documenting Ali’s underwater training. As described in the exhibit, “the action of Clay’s (Ali’s) powerful hook and jab punches through the water created a torrent of bubbles.”
This reporter was astonished while gazing at this photograph. It seemed as though it capturesdthe tie between the humanity and the greatness of Ali, showing that he, too, was human and he, too, was affected by what affects us, even something a simplistic as water.
Further inspection of the gallery reveals more photographs, each of which seem to open a different page in Ali’s life. A photo taken by Thomas Hoepker shows a committed Ali at a meeting with the Nation of Islam, the famous and controversial religious and political organization, pointing out Ali’s social and political values as many have seen them. A photo by Neil Leifer of Ali standing over the dazed and confused body of Sonny Liston during a title fight in the middle of the ring. It shows us the determined and professional side of Ali that we all know and love. To quote Ali himself, “They say Sonny Liston is great, but he’ll fall in eight.”
However, not all of the photographs featured at the exhibit focus on Muhammad Ali as the great fighter and activist many people saw him as. Several photos taken by Art Shay and Steve Schapiro show the rather playful side of Ali, the side few witnessed, the side some may know as that of Cassius Clay.
One photo depicts Clay along with a group of children laughing and riding their bicycles. Another shows Ali and his mother shadow boxing and laughing together. These photographs serve as a reminder of the humanity and kindness of the great fighter.
An excerpt on the wall of the gallery highlights the moment Schapiro met Ali and his family. He describes meeting Odessa Clay, Ali’s mother in Louisville, KY. in 1963, as she was making lunch for her 21-year-old son, Cassius. He describes Clay as an energetic and well-mannered boy. He says that even back then Clay had an interest in social and political issues, as he remembers a comment the young Clay made regarding how grocery stores across the country should be owned by common working-class people rather than big franchises or chains.
He describes Ali as always looking at himself in the mirror and having a playful demeanor. Schapiro remembers Ali explaining to him that his idol had always been Sugar Ray Robinson, the famous welterweight and middleweight boxer.
The exhibit concludes with photos about Ali and his present humanitarian efforts and public activism: his work with agencies such as Center, which focuses on core themes of personal responsibility and social growth. In 2005, Ali even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The exhibit presents Ali in a light not seen often by the common person. He is shown as not only one of the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time but also as a true humanitarian, activist and public personality.
In the words of Ali himself, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.”
“The Greatest of All Time: Muhammad Ali” will be on display in the Emily Lowe Gallery, located behind Emily Lowe Hall on the South Campus. The exhibit is open until December 2.
