Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson were both important figures in social change. Muhammad Ali fought for civil rights. Jackie broke the color barrier in baseball. Muhammad Ali was a boxer who was a vocal advocate for civil rights. He received the Presidential Award in 2009. He also had a Museum dedicated to his Life and Legacy. 

Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson worked to end segregation. Jackie Robinson worked to end segregation by playing Baseball. In Promises to Keep by Sharon Robinson, on page 33 it says, "During games proud black fans crowded into the Jim Crow, segregated section of the stands while curious white fans filled in the remaining seats." Muhammad Ali worked to end segregation by boxing. "Muhammad Ali's advocate for radical justice began with his awareness and experience with racism”. This explains he used his influence to help fight racism. They were both dedicated athletes. Jackie Robinson was a dedicated baseball player. In Promises to Keep it says, "Branch Rickey knew he'd chosen the right man. He knew my dad had both the self-control and the courage to succeed." This explains he had the potential to succeed. They both worked to end segregation by playing sports. They were both battling different medical conditions during their lives. Jackie Robinson played with diabetes. "He (Jackie) started to experience complications from his type 2 diabetes.” Muhammad Ali had Parkinson’s disease and he still boxed. This explains that Ali was a determined and dedicated man. 

Muhammad Ali faced discrimination because of his religion, whereas Jackie Robinson faced discrimination because of his race. Jackie Robinson was discriminated against because he was African American. In Promises to Keep by Sharon Robinson, it says, "The Royals learned there had been letters and calls threatening violence and boycotts if my father appeared on the field." This explains that he received threats because of the color of his skin. Muhammad Ali was discriminated against because of his religious beliefs. The website britannica.com said that because of his religious beliefs, "he was stripped of his heavyweight title and was denied a boxing license in every state." This explains that people judged him based on a religion that they didn’t understand.

Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali are important figures of social change. Jackie Robinson broke color barriers in baseball. Muhammad Ali also broke barriers in boxing. They are both important figures in the battle for equality in America.