Final answer:
Muhammad Ali opposed the Vietnam War draft based on his religious and political beliefs as a member of the Nation of Islam, challenging the stereotype of cowardice linked to draft evasion. He was ready to end his boxing career and go to prison rather than go against his values, representing broader civil rights concerns in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muhammad Ali's personal perspective on being drafted into the Vietnam War was deeply rooted in his religious and political beliefs. As a member of the Nation of Islam, Ali opposed the war on moral grounds and challenged the expectations and labels that were often attached to draft evaders.
Even when informed by the military that he would not be seeing combat but rather would be entertaining the troops, Ali stood firm in his conviction. He was willing to sacrifice the prime years of his boxing career, face imprisonment, and relinquish his heavyweight champion title rather than serve in a conflict that contradicted his principles. This self-sacrificial stance underscored his commitment to his values and served as a challenge to the image of cowardice that was typically associated with those who avoided military service.
Ali's resistance to the draft was emblematic of the wider sentiment among some Americans who saw the Vietnam War as unjust and the draft as particularly discriminatory against economically disadvantaged groups and minorities. His choice to oppose the war and the draft resonated with many who were fighting for civil rights and equality back home in the United States.