What’s My Name? on Light

When Muhammad Ali stepped into the ring to face Ernie Terrell, he had already made a name for himself as one of the greatest boxers of all time. But for Ernie Terrell, it seemed that the name Muhammad Ali was a name that he simply could not bring himself to say. And for Ali, this was not just a matter of a name – it was a matter of respect, dignity, and identity.

Ernie Terrell had known Muhammad Ali for years, even before Ali had converted to Islam and changed his name from Cassius Clay. And yet, despite this familiarity, Terrell continued to call Ali by his birth name, refusing to acknowledge the name that Ali had chosen for himself. To Ali, this was an act of disrespect and disregard – a way of denying him the right to define himself and to be heard.

As the fight between Ali and Terrell progressed, Ali’s frustration and anger grew with each passing round. He taunted Terrell with jabs and hooks, all the while demanding to know, “What’s my name?” It was a way of asserting his identity and his right to be recognized for who he was, not who someone else wanted him to be.

So why wouldn’t Ernie Terrell call Ali by his name? Perhaps it was a matter of stubbornness, or perhaps it was a refusal to acknowledge the changes that Ali had made in his life. But for Ali, it was a matter of principle – a way of standing up against the forces of oppression and prejudice that sought to deny him his right to self-determination.

In the end, Ali emerged victorious in the fight against Terrell, but the battle for his name and his identity would continue for years to come. For Ali, it was a fight that went far beyond the boxing ring – it was a fight for respect, dignity, and the right to be oneself, no matter the cost.