What was Muhammad Ali's contribution to African Americans?

Answer 1

Countless books have been written on this very subject. As an Irish American, I could clinically name a thing or two, but I'd be parroting really. My best advice is to ask an actual black person, especially someone who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s. Among the books that feature many candid testimonials would be Thomas Hauser's "Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times" and the Leon Gast documentary "When We Were Kings"

To simplify it as much as possible, the main message seemed to be "Pride". To those who loved him, he made them feel proud to be black. Obviously, that's a pretty powerful thing, especially considering the times he fought in and American history.