On Monday, January 19, 1981, Joe had had enough. He felt like he was back in Vietnam with the Viet Cong coming after him. He climbed out of a ninth-story window in a Los Angeles high-rise and got ready to jump. Howard Bingham noticed the chaos.
Muhammad Ali was Bingham’s closest friend. Bingham immediately phoned Ali, who lived just minutes away from the building where John was. Ali got in his car and rushed right over.
Ali ran up the stairs to the ninth floor, where Joe, in bell bottoms and a hoodie, was ready to end it all. Ali made eye contact with him. "You're my brother! I love you, and I couldn't lie to you," Ali promised.
Joe eventually let Ali get close enough to put his arms around him and bring him safely inside. He then walked Joe out of the building and drove him to a nearby V.A. hospital.
Any of us could have been like Muhammad Ali at this moment. His kindness and Black brotherhood saved Joe's life. The kindness we share as Black people can be the one thing that will keep someone from giving up. Living while Black is a struggle, but together, we can support each other through it all.