Tobias Harris, Channing Frye stay connected to Tuskegee Air veteran grandfather
Tobias Harris and Channing Frye grew up hearing stories from their grandfather, a Tuskegee Airmen veteran of World War II.
This Martin Luther King Day feels more important than any other in a while. There have been some serious incidents across the nation that have put the Dream that Martin Luther King famous expounded upon during the March on Washington in August 1963.
Monday’s holiday is a day to reflect on the progress that has been made — a lot — and the work yet to do — a lot.
Today, we want to reflect on the heroes who defended this country and did so despite their country failed to defend them.
As many probably know by now — both through articles written in the past year and through the movie Red Tails which came out to much acclaim in 2012 — the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of black pilots who fought in World War II beyond admirably. The 1940s were obviously not the best time for African Americans in the United States. The Civil Rights Act would still be 20 years — and a whole lot of pain and too much grieving — away.
The stories of these brave men should be told on this day celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King. And the Magic have a special connection right now to this struggle.
Tobias Harris and Channing Frye are cousins and relatives to one of those brave airmen from World War II.
The story about these two forwards’ connection to these brave men who flew against the Axis powers in World War II was shared on the most recent episode of NBA Inside Stuff:
Yes, Lt. Col. John Mulzac, Harris’ grandfather on his mother’s side and Frye’s grandfather as well, is a true American hero. That goes without saying for his service in World War II.
He is also a hero for the quiet stand he took and the progress he helped push forward. Even if it took another 20 years, his contribution to the struggle for equality was invaluable. It is great that Harris, Frye and their family could share his story with everyone.
Harris said his grandfather watches all his games. He is still obviously a big part of his life. In the Inside Stuff piece, Harris talked about how speaking with his grandfather and learning from his experience taught him not to waste any of his talents and to be committed to his craft. That could partially explain why Harris is so driven.
With such a luminary in the family, how could someone not be in awe?
Frye and Harris both spoke to Adi Joseph of USA TODAY about their grandfather (as they have done previously with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel). They spoke about the influence he has had on their lives and really his selfless nature. He seems like an ordinary, loving, proud grandfather.
Of course, one with an incredible story to tell and lots of wisdom to share.
"“The funny thing about him, he never really talks about (the war and Tuskegee Airmen),” Frye said in the USA TODAY article. “He’d always talk about growing up and overcoming hardships in his own life, dealing with racism, dealing with those types of issues. He wasn’t talking about himself and his own personal accolades and that sort of stuff. … He just wanted to encourage us in what we were doing.”"
That might explain where Harris and Frye get their humility. And their competitive spirit and determination.
Again, it is such an incredible story. Something most of us living today probably could not begin to comprehend. That fact alone is probably a testament to the progress that has been made.
But as we learn every Martin Luther King Day, there has been a lot of progress but still much work to be done.