Safe Harbour On Both Sides

Solution to the Problem Pointing to his son’s skin, he said, “This is the reason.” The boy asked, “Is being Black a crime?” His father explained, “No, but we aren’t given the same job opportunities. When someone earns only enough to feed himself, how can he dream of luxury?” To ease his son’s sadness, the father bought him a bicycle— even though they barely had enough money for it. The boy was overjoyed and rode it happily. But soon after, a white boy stole the bicycle. When he ran to the police, the officer looked at his Black face with contempt and turned away. This could have ignited hatred in the boy’s heart. But instead, it lit a fire of determination. He decided to challenge the idea that being Black meant being inferior. To the policeman, he said: “If I find that white boy, I’ll break his nose.” The officer laughed and replied, “Then go learn how to break noses first.” That mocking sentence shook the boy deeply—and from that day, he began training as a boxer. Years later, that same boy—Muhammad Ali Clay—became the world boxing champion. He had everything now—from Cadillacs parked outside his home to hotels reserved for world leaders.