HOLLYWOOD - A day after Hollywood's wartime committee greenlit an international public service announcement in which Muhammad Ali will emphasize that the war on terrorism is not a war against Islam or Arabs, the former heavyweight boxing champion is in hot water for making ethnic jokes.On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement expressing disappointment at remarks made by Ali at the Washington, D.C., premiere of the biographical film Ali.
"We were disappointed to learn of Muhammad Ali's remarks, which were so out of character for a man who has committed himself in word and deed to upholding values of equality, decency and respect, " ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said in a statement.
"While we understand that his intent was not to offend, in using ethnic stereotypes an iconic figure like Muhammad Ali gives license to others to repeat them as slurs," he added. "Ali's remarks are unfortunate given the champ's longstanding commitment to causes of multiculturalism."
Ali delivered the two politically incorrect jokes on Wednesday night at the premiere party at Café Milano in Georgetown, Reuters reports.
"What's the difference between a Jew and a canoe?" Ali, 59, asked. "A canoe tips."
"A black, a Puerto Rican and a Mexican are in a car. Who's driving?" Ali persisted even after his joke was reportedly met with some uncomfortable laughter. "The police."
A spokesperson for the Muhammad Ali Center was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, "These are not new jokes. Muhammad tells them all the time because he likes to make people laugh, and he shocks people to make a point. He always manages to defuse any situation that seems overly reverential."
In a brief statement to Reuters, Ali's wife Lonnie said, "Even the greatest can tell bad jokes."