Laila Ali Incites Ire By Saying COVID "Was Created To Harm Humanity"

BY Erika Marie 3.0K Views
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Laila Ali
Muhammad Ali's boxing champion daughter reportedly made an anti-vax post that caused the public to lash out.

Her father is one of the most celebrated sports figures in history and she followed in his footsteps. Laila Ali holds several boxing titles and although she comes from sports royalty and has been in the spotlight most of her life, Ali remains a relatively unproblematic figure in Hollywood. She has surfaced with acting jobs and continues her business partnerships and philanthropic efforts, but on Wednesday (August 18), she kicked up dust by sharing an anti-vaccine stance that caused the public to drag her name through the mud.

We assume that you are quite familiar with the ongoing debate regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, and while it all remains a personal choice, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is asking for people to continue to at least wear their masks to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant. The anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers are making their opinions known as hospital staff across the U.S. have complained that they no longer have bed spaces for people suffering from ailments unrelated to COVID-19.

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In a post, Ali reportedly wrote, “People don’t seem to understand that just [because] some folks don’t wear masks, don’t want the shot, don’t listen to media or live in fear…it doesn’t mean they don’t ‘believe’ the virus is real or think they can’t get it! They know it was created to harm humanity.”

She continued, “They simply choose to build up and trust their own immune system like they have been doing all their life. If they get it, they will deal with it!! It’s a God given choice. I know, this kind of faith is impossible for some to comprehend. But lean not on your own understanding. Before you claim they are ‘putting others in danger,’ you should do your own research to learn that’s actually true. You can’t change anyone but yourself, so YOU DO YOU!”

The post quickly went viral and people were unrelenting in their reactions. Check out the post and read what people had to say below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.