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Forum
A new series of provocative discussions with hot links on contemporary issues

Updated October 4, 2000

 Contents

Writing about fighting; contesting the assumption that "boxing is only like boxing" through an analysis of selected writings on Muhammad Ali. by Claire Horrocks,Edge Hill University College (46 K)

Claire contests Joyce Carol Oates’s assumption that "boxing is only like boxing" by looking at the emotions and responses the sport stimulates in writers and critics of different race and creed, particularly when discussing Muhammad Ali’s contribution to the legend of boxing

Muhammad Ali: The Quintessential American by John C. Walter (100K including images)

In this stimulating article, John Walters argues that, In many ways Muhammad Ali is the "Quintessential American." In his stand   for religious and racial freedom, for his humility, generosity, braggadocio, deep and abiding physical and mental courage, though always larger than  life – Ali exhibited many typical and deep-rooted American traits. He struck a number of positively resonant notes in the American psyche, that make him now a revered person. His life also reflects and contributed to the changing attitude of Americans to Black athletes from the sixties to the present day.

This War is Not Our War! An Analysis and Critique of Forms of Resistance amongst the American GIs during the Vietnam War By Andy Walpole - Liverpool John Moores University (82K)

The Vietnam War was a watershed in American history, exposing and increasing cracks in the social structure. The draft discriminated against the poor, the less educated and ethnic minorities. In this article, Andy Walpole demonstrates and how resistance to the war took a variety of forms, from drug abuse to fragging (the assassination of unpopular officers), as well as to more organised and politicised anti-war activity. He also shows how serving in the war helped to increase the political awareness of African-American GI's and helped to inform the Civil Rights movement.

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