Also, what a wonderful variety of stories we posted this week on our main site. Take a look.
You may be asking, what does Muhammad Ali have to do with sustainability? Well actually more than we might realize. The principles of sustainability employ three areas of our society: economic, social, and environmental. We could make a case that Muhammad Ali made an impact on each of these to some extent. What RNN wants to focus on is his impact on a global society, and what one person achieved against all odds to become the most recognized name in the world, while at the same time becoming the GREATEST.
Having grown up in the mid-70s there were two people that caught the imagination of many young boys of my generation; one was Evel Knievel, and the other was Muhammad Ali. Both incredible showmen whose professions had them tempting death every time they performed, and leaving them both with lifelong debilitating injuries that most other athletes would never survive. Both had the admiration and the attention of millions, but there was a major difference that separated the two: one engaged in social issues, while the other didn't. This is what made Muhammad Ali the greatest and why his legacy will be felt for many generations to come. Muhammad Ali understood that boxing was more than a sport- it was a podium that afforded him an opportunity to be heard, and he didn't squander what he had. "I've always wanted to be more than just a boxer," Ali said. "More than just the three-time heavyweight champion. I wanted to use my fame, and this face that everyone knows so well, to help uplift and inspire people around the world."
In 1967, Muhammed Ali took a stand against the very unpopular war in Vietnam when he refused the draft. Part of his statement 
was, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” After his stand, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He stayed out of prison as his case was appealed and returned to the ring on October 26, 1970. Many say those three years lost would have been his best years, a heavy price was paid for his actions. Regardless of what one may think of his politics you have to respect him for standing behind his belief, right or wrong, in the end he had to live with his decision, and what we saw is that history embraced him, and some say vindicated him considering the U.S. current positive relationship with Vietnam.
was, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” After his stand, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He stayed out of prison as his case was appealed and returned to the ring on October 26, 1970. Many say those three years lost would have been his best years, a heavy price was paid for his actions. Regardless of what one may think of his politics you have to respect him for standing behind his belief, right or wrong, in the end he had to live with his decision, and what we saw is that history embraced him, and some say vindicated him considering the U.S. current positive relationship with Vietnam.
Many of Muhammad Ali’s other social causes were less 
controversial and had much more of a giving nature, such as work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. He visited soup kitchens and raised money through celebrity fight nights and public appearances. Ali traveled with Disarm Education Fund and Direct Relief International to deliver $1.2 million-worth of medicine and medicinal supply to Cuba in 1998. He brought humanitarian aid to the Ivory Coast. He made mission trips to both Afghanistan and North Korea to promote goodwill.
controversial and had much more of a giving nature, such as work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. He visited soup kitchens and raised money through celebrity fight nights and public appearances. Ali traveled with Disarm Education Fund and Direct Relief International to deliver $1.2 million-worth of medicine and medicinal supply to Cuba in 1998. He brought humanitarian aid to the Ivory Coast. He made mission trips to both Afghanistan and North Korea to promote goodwill.
Ali also excelled in preaching religious tolerance. Though he was devoutly
Muslim, he regularly met with leaders of other faiths to impart a greater understanding between the religions of the world. "Rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams — they all have different names, but they all contain water. So religions all have different names, but they all contain the same truths," Ali was quoted as saying by CNN.
Muslim, he regularly met with leaders of other faiths to impart a greater understanding between the religions of the world. "Rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams — they all have different names, but they all contain water. So religions all have different names, but they all contain the same truths," Ali was quoted as saying by CNN.
When you visit the United Nations Messengers of Peace, the very first name at the top of the list is Muhammad Ali . it 
says, “Mr. Ali first came to the UN in 1978 to address the UN Special Committee against Apartheid with a message of peace and spirituality. He brings people from all races together by preaching "healing" to everyone irrespective of race, religion or age. Over the years Mr. Ali has been a relentless advocate for people in need and a significant humanitarian actor in the developing world, supporting relief and development initiatives and hand-delivering food and medical supplies to hospitals, street children and orphanages in Africa and Asia.”
says, “Mr. Ali first came to the UN in 1978 to address the UN Special Committee against Apartheid with a message of peace and spirituality. He brings people from all races together by preaching "healing" to everyone irrespective of race, religion or age. Over the years Mr. Ali has been a relentless advocate for people in need and a significant humanitarian actor in the developing world, supporting relief and development initiatives and hand-delivering food and medical supplies to hospitals, street children and orphanages in Africa and Asia.”
For RNN, who is celebrating the whole month of June with Sustainability and Sports, it seems only appropriate that we dedicate our efforts to Muhammad Ali. Boxing may have made him a champion, but his contribution back to society has truly made him "THE GREATEST." Rest in peace, champ!
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