History and ‘Ali’

Sadly, both Shane Salerno and Earl Ofari Hutchinson have bought into the Ali myth (“The Opposing Corners in Today’s ‘Ali’ Matchup,” Jan. 7).

Muhammad Ali dodged the draft not because he opposed U.S. policy during the Vietnam War, but because the Black Muslims considered any war conducted by the U.S. government to be a “white man’s war.” This is not a principled stand to be admired, but a manifestation of black racism that should be condemned.

On top of that, Ali was the first in a long line of what has become a tidal wave of “trash talkers.” His silly poetry making fun of his opponents was seen at the time as brashness and much admired.

In retrospect, it was infantile, bad sportsmanship and the most obvious aspect of a personality best described with one word--”blowhard.”

CARL MOORE

Lomita

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I unfortunately have to agree with Earl Ofari Hutchinson. Will Smith’s portrayal of Ali deserves high praise for a young actor’s coming of age as he further develops his craft. However, the film itself failed to capture a generation’s coming of age as it developed through the accomplishments, great deeds and misdeeds of one of history’s most unusual individuals.

What is missing is the awesome spirit Ali imbued in young black people and others as a strong, creatively articulate and, yes, beautiful man of color who survived the full onslaught of America’s worst.

I hoped the film would capture Ali’s magic for the younger generation, as well as for us to relive. I thought Smith would be the perfect actor to cross the generations. But the disjointed delivery of historical fact did not support Smith’s dead-on portrayal.

C. TURNER

Los Angeles