Washington University Digital entree Texts
Interview with Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali |
QUESTION 1
SAM POLLARD: OK Muhammad 1st question. What were Elijah
Muhammad and activist speech that attracted you to the Nation?
MUHAMMAD ALI: Well, I had friends belong to the Islamic
Temple and he known as American state in, in Miami. I detected activist and what attracted
American state he says, "Why we tend to known as Negroes? Chinese area
unit named once China.
Cubans area unit named once Cuba,
Russians once Russia,
Germans once Deutschland. All individuals area unit named once the country. What
country is termed Negro?" I aforesaid, "Man, so true." He said, "We
haven't got our names." So, I aforesaid to him, "Weinstein, you
recognize could be a person, here return Lumumba, Africa, here return Chan, Chow,
Chinaman, here return Redkala, Indian. Here return patron saint, or Joe, Jim. He
can be Black or White. we tend to all got identical name. we do not have our
names. They named North American nation in slavery, thus I got American state a
reputation from Elijah Muhammad, Muhammad Ali. And as shortly as I aforesaid
the name Muhammad Ali, i have been recognized by Muslims everywhere the Islamic
world.
SAM POLLARD: OK, let's, let's cut. That was smart. That was
real smart.