It is hard to believe that Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor was the subject of mass bullying after his incredible life and basketball journey that he has encompassed in his lifetime (Academy of Achievement). Lew's journey started in Harlem but his skills and talents for both basketball and life itself has spread to every corner of the earth. The man now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar transcended the world with his innovation on the court with his trademark unstoppable hook shot. However, he did much more than become the sports all time leading scorer, shot blocker, and MVP earner (NBA).
Growing up in Harlem, his classmates and acquaintances tended to shove him to the side and talk behind his back. Kareem was much taller than anyone else at his school and also didn't look what exactly like the society would've deemed "normal." Kareem found his safe haven, however, on the basketball court. He could finally use the height that he was so much mocked for as a child and high schooler at Power Memorial High School to his advantage as he grew and evolved his game. By the time he was a senior, he was by far the most coveted recruit in the nation. Even with that new found fame, Kareem still stayed a stand offish person, and never boasted to the people who once sent Kareem home in tears (Academy of Achievement).
A few years later, Kareem encountered more weird looks and people wondering what he was doing because he decided to convert to Islam. Just like his height, Islam isn't considered the "norm" in the United States but he still decided it was very important to him to change his religion and took it, and still takes it, very seriously to this day (Religion of Islam).
Kareem has stayed very much a part of society today. Recently, he has written books such as Giant Steps, Kareem, Black Profiles in Courage, and Brothers in Arms. Kareem has also appeared in a few movies. His largest role was in the movie Airplane in 1980. Kareem admits that "it was a highlight of my life" (Moran).
Kareem's basketball career, conversion to Islam, and post basketball escapades have shaped him into a strong will man. Even though Kareem is most well known for being the leading scorer in the history of the NBA, his life consists of much more (NBA).
Growing up in Harlem, his classmates and acquaintances tended to shove him to the side and talk behind his back. Kareem was much taller than anyone else at his school and also didn't look what exactly like the society would've deemed "normal." Kareem found his safe haven, however, on the basketball court. He could finally use the height that he was so much mocked for as a child and high schooler at Power Memorial High School to his advantage as he grew and evolved his game. By the time he was a senior, he was by far the most coveted recruit in the nation. Even with that new found fame, Kareem still stayed a stand offish person, and never boasted to the people who once sent Kareem home in tears (Academy of Achievement).
A few years later, Kareem encountered more weird looks and people wondering what he was doing because he decided to convert to Islam. Just like his height, Islam isn't considered the "norm" in the United States but he still decided it was very important to him to change his religion and took it, and still takes it, very seriously to this day (Religion of Islam).
Kareem has stayed very much a part of society today. Recently, he has written books such as Giant Steps, Kareem, Black Profiles in Courage, and Brothers in Arms. Kareem has also appeared in a few movies. His largest role was in the movie Airplane in 1980. Kareem admits that "it was a highlight of my life" (Moran).
Kareem's basketball career, conversion to Islam, and post basketball escapades have shaped him into a strong will man. Even though Kareem is most well known for being the leading scorer in the history of the NBA, his life consists of much more (NBA).