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The Impact Of Muhammad Ali
Impact is defined as “the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.” That definition could easily include Muhammad Ali’s name as a synonym, for he truly epitomized this word throughout his historical existence.
Thirty-Seven opponents felt that impact by way of knockout during his 56 win & 5 loss career. It produced several iconic moments that still resonate today. Most notably were his defense of the heavyweight championship belt against Sonny Liston, the Rumble in the Jungle and the Thrilla in Manila.
Each of these fights took on a life of its own due to the impact of his skills, talent and words. Lines like “He might be great but he’ll fall in eight” or “I will do to Buster what the Indians did to Custer” cemented his appeal in the ring.
Ali understood how impactful those words were in the ring and utilized them on the world stage. He questioned the hypocrisy and injustices many faced during his time, unfortunately still today, with the same passion and eloquence he displayed promoting his fights.
His opposition to the Vietnam War during one of the more tumultuous times in U.S history had a major impact on politics, religion and societal views throughout the world. His stand inspired other leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. to voice their views on the war abroad in relation to the realities at home.
Ali’s act of stating his beliefs and the truth in a “free” country cost him three prime years in his career. During that time he never folded and put his own interests ahead of others but remained true to his convictions. Regardless of the punishment and the negative backlash he received from his own country, he defended himself vehemently in every opportunity he got.
I can’t help but wonder how much more Ali would have contributed in today’s landscape if Parkinson’s didn’t rob him of some of his natural abilities. Would Chicago heed his words of not killing each other? Would his love of people in this age of social media touch the hearts of those teetering on destruction? Would his confidence and love of self lift the self-esteem of those that see themselves in him?
Unfortunately we will never know the answers to those questions. But what we do know is that the country that wasted time vilifying him is now praising him as what he has always proclaimed to be….THE GREATEST!
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century. We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
