Date Thesis Awarded
5-2020
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Arts (BA)
Department
Religious Studies
Advisor
Kevin Vose
Committee Members
Philip Daileader
Faraz Shiekh
Abstract
This thesis explores Muhammad Ali's 1971 draft evasion court case and the implications that his religion, race/views on racial issues, and surveillance by the FBI had on judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court was tasked with determining the sincerity of Ali's religious convictions and therefore if his claim to conscientiously object to war was valid. The combination of the different facets of Ali's identity tested the court's ability to be objective and thus, this thesis argues, his access to constitutionally granted religious freedoms were restricted.
Recommended Citation
Wakelin, Jessica, "Fighting for Religious Freedom; Muhammad Ali and His Battle Against the U.S. Supreme Court" (2020). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1561.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1561
