Ali, Muhammad
From GWUEncyc
Speaker at the University
“Ali Advocates Separatism to Ease Racial Conflicts”
Separation of the races was advocated by Muhammad Ali, former world heavyweight champ at Lisner Auditorium Monday. Ali, a Black Muslim, insisted that separation is the “best solution to the international, world-wide problem” of interracial strife. “We’ve tried integration, we’ve tried education, we’ve tried lootin’ and burnin’,” Ali explained, “and everything has failed.” Continued conflict between black and white will lead to the internal destruction of the nation.” This can be prevented, he said, only by doing the “intelligent thing,” separating the two disputing groups.
Ali admitted that blacks and whites in the U.S. have some things in common: “We all go to the church on Sunday and pray to the same blue-eyed, yellow-headed Jesus.” But he maintained, “Black and white are two opposites,” just like hot and cold. “If something is your opposition,” Ali reasoned, “Black people and white people are naturally opposed; to try to change this is bucking God’s law.” It isn’t hate,” Ali said, to want racial separation. “Bluebirds and pigeons can’t get along; they’s all birds like we’re human beings, but heir natures are different.”
Today’s racial conflicts are caused by the existence of brainwashed Negroes, Ali asserted. Instead of being black people, Negroes have been brainwashed and want to force themselves on white men. Black people, on the other hand, have not been properly brainwashed, and want to get away from whites and get along on their own. Ever since John Hawkins brought the first shipload of slaves to Virginia, the ex-champ explained, black people have been told to hate black and love white. “You have created a nation of Frankinsteins,” he said. “You have a lot of zombie-like people walking around,” brainwashed Negroes who want to be white.
“The black man must have somewhere where he can go and build a nation,” Ali told the crowd. “We’re educated and free—why don’t you let us go? I’m not your equal askin’ you for a job. I’m equal when I got clothing factories and airports.” Ali received enthusiastic applause several times during his remarks. A few boos were heard at one point, after he had accused Malcolm X of being “hypocritical” when he turned away from Elijah Muhammad’s teaching on the nature of interracial friction.
Ali was given a plaque by an Iranian student from American University who also invited Ali to come to Iran whenever he could. He was also confronted by an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency of Alpha Kappa Psi, who insisted on reading the speech he would have given had he won. A large portion of the audience was annoyed at this and started hissing, hooting, and clapping rhythmically. Ali stopped this and asked that the crowd give the student three minutes. He took five.
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Author or Source: GW Hatchet May 8, 1969
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 16, 2006
Prepared by: Lyle Slovick
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