Difficult life experiences and breakthrough moments of the sporting legend against a backdrop of a fraught history on display at the O2
“I am the greatest, I said that before I even knew I was.”
Muhammad Ali has meant “different things to different people” Mike Marqusee wrote in his book Redemption Song: Muhammad Ali and the Spirit of the Sixties. To me, he has always been the fabled hero of my father’s childhood. It is probably more than a coincidence that my brother shares his name. The current exhibition, I Am The Greatest – Muhammad Ali at the O2, examines the public and private spheres of his life, and includes over 100 artefacts making it a current must-see for any Ali fan worth their salt.
In preparation for my visit I had immersed myself in the world of Muhammad Ali, and I arrived keen to see which version of the great man would take centre stage. Muhammad Ali ‘the boxer’ peered down at visitors in all his glory, speaking at the camera while he trained in his own inimitable and poetic style. Renowned for his charismatic delivery and bravado, particularly when the cameras were rolling, the audio-visuals throughout the exhibit had done well to capture his boxing persona and ensure visitors were always within earshot of his recognisable voice. I was instantly absorbed and eager to see what else would unfold.
Early on in the exhibition, we were offered an insight into his fraught beginnings. He grew up at a time when centuries of racial tensions had finally come to a head in the USA, and the civil rights movement was in its early stages. He was a young boy of 13 when activist Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a bus for a white person. There were photographs of his childhood home on display and a video reel depicting the Louisville Kentucky of 1953 that Ali would have known. This section included distressing footage of violence against African Americans, the Ku Klux Klan and segregation, while Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ played chillingly in the background. As a viewer, I felt saddened by the images, which embodied the struggle against discrimination Ali would have faced since childhood. His experiences during adolescence resonated throughout his life and were no doubt a key factor in his determination to succeed and bring about change.
‘Spirituality’ is something we readily associate with Ali and which the exhibition explored well. A turning point came when he converted to Islam and decided to change his birth name of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jnr to his chosen name of Muhammad Ali. This sector covered his former membership of the Nation of Islam and relationship with Malcolm X, his close contemporary in the civil rights movement. Many are still unaware of the impact Malcolm had on the then young Ali. The recently released book Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, claims it was indeed Malcolm who played a pivotal role in Ali “entering the world stage” and becoming a superstar whose influence superseded the sporting world. The two historians who wrote the text delve deeper into the highs and lows of the pair’s friendship, particularly when Ali broke ties with Malcolm, exploring the effect this had on their lives and Malcolm’s eventual assassination.
Ali’s impact on global matters was most poignant with his refusal to enlist for the Vietnam War. His famous recorded interview where he asserts his position was played at the exhibition close to the horrifying photograph of a child now identified to be Kim Phuc running naked from a napalm attack in the Trang Bang district during the war. His words ringing out alongside the image drew attention to the reality of atrocities committed in Vietnam against innocent people. Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title, fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in prison, although this was later overturned. While many condemned him, he was praised by the likes of Martin Luther King for his conscientious objection. Although Ali was a divisive figure throughout his career his appeal transcended racial and cultural boundaries. Mike Marqusee put it best when he wrote that Ali “belonged to the world”; the diversity of visitors on the day I attended the exhibit felt like a testament to this.
Ali ‘the orator’ was palpable in the reproduction of newspaper clippings, headlines and quotations looming from many of the walls. A ring at the centre of the exhibit was the focal point for visitors and contained an array of Ali memorabilia including his famous split glove, items of clothing and various boxing accolades. The room showcased dozens of magazine covers, photographs and artwork based on the champion. His charisma and star quality meant the media were a constant fixture in his life from early on in his career. Ali’s post-retirement years were also covered in the exhibition, including his celebrated lighting of the Olympic torch at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games and the torch itself. Additionally, there were photographs of him with various political figures including Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela, highlighting the breadth of his influence outside of sport even in his later years.
Muhammad Ali has been bravely battling Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years now. His heyday may be long over but he remains as relevant now as he was to previous generations. An active Twitter user, he and his team often post quotations and photographs using the popular hashtag adopted by many Twitter users #motivationmonday. His 2012 appearance in a Louis Vuitton commercial alongside his grandson and spoken word tributes from Yasiin Bey – ‘Dream’ and ‘Word’ – showcase his enduring popularity and influence in the worlds of fashion and music. More recently, he used his voice to condemn the actions of presidential candidate Donald Trump. He continues to defy expectation and reaffirm his own identity, acting out his own words: “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.”
It is fair to say Ali in all his alluring forms was tangible throughout my visit. The athlete, the wordsmith and the political activist, to name but a few, all made an impression. I Am The Greatest is a worthy homage to the prolific legacy of Ali. A captivating, nostalgic visual feast of images and words, the show successfully encourages visitors to engage with the complexity of his character alongside the magnitude of his achievements.
The Muhammad Ali at the O2 exhibition ends on 31 August 2016: http://www.theo2.co.uk/venues/detail/muhammad-ali-at-the-o2.
Photo Credit: Naushin J Mushtaq