Allan Houston is thinking about an interview with Dr. Clarence Jones

For five days in mid -April 1963, Dr. Clarence Jones broke about five sheets of empty paper under the jersey for a jail in Birmingham (Ala.) To give a prisoner. The recipient was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He was arrested for conducting a peaceful protest against segregation, an outstanding activist for civil rights wanted to put in writing his answer to local white clergy criticizing his protests and calling him to return to his hometown of Atlanta.

King gave pieces of paper to his lawyer and author before he left. Without Jones’s knowledge, the magazines became a letter from the prison in Birmingham.

It was one in every of the various stories that Jones told the previous NBA player Allan Houston and his father Wade Houston during their two -hour interview in December in San Francisco. Jones talked about his life experiences, including serving alongside the king throughout the movement for civil rights.

Allan Houston met Jones on the New York Knicks match for Martin Luther’s day King Jr. in 2024. The Olympic gold medalist entered the band’s executive apartment and saw a gaggle huddled around Jones.

Allan introduced himself and shared his relationship with his father, Wade, the primary black coach on the south -eastern conference. He told Jones that his father inspired him to create a social brand Fisll (faith, honesty, victim, leadership and heritage).

When Allan mentioned Wade, Jones raised his hand, signaling him to stop talking.

“Your father is Wade Houston?” Jones said. “I am very familiar with you, your father and your story. Your father was an icon because at that time black trainers had to be better. “

The shocked Allan Houston kindly asked Jones to justify and immediately FieTimed Wade.

“Like a small child, I brought a phone call to Dr. Jones. He took him and began to talk to his dad as if they knew each other, “Houston said. “And when I watched this conversation, I said:” I would really like to be a video, but he has my phone. ” “

Allan Houston’s wish got here true lower than a yr later.

Allan Houston shared his time with Jones with his father and the influence he had on their relationship and his individual goal.

From the camera he told us that Martin would call him at Jones confirmed that Martin was powered and motivated by a mission, but sometimes he told his friend: “Brother, I have to sleep a bit” once they were approaching early.

Imagine talking to someone who trusted these dialogues. A conversation with someone who challenged his thought process but was still inspired.

After almost two hours of sitting, we went to dinner. For the following hour he shared more convincing stories, which made me appreciate my role on this world and the goal much more.

I began studying mathematics on the University of Tennessee, but I desired to graduate in 4 years, so I modified my studies to African -American studies. I wrote my older newspaper about Selma, where my father recruited basketball players. Now I’m with a brand influencing the community rooted within the values ​​wherein my father and the heritage of Dr. King taught me, talking to the person with a connection with the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma.

For this reason, I touched me essentially the most, as Dr. Jones talked about the importance of my father and I, since it applies to black culture. A son honored with a loved father. Rare but possible. Rare but powerful.

“I am very touched because I sit here and see a generational bridge,” said Jones, referring to my father and me while sitting. “I see and experience something that I would like to experience every young black man.” I used to be moved when Dr. Jones also said: “I’m 93 years old, but because of this of being here, I do know that I intend to live 95, 96, 97. Oh yes, I’m inspired. I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave it.

His words illuminated the strength of unity and community.

Dr. Jones and my father knew Muhammad Ali. He lived two houses from my childhood house in Louisville. Jones, as a lawyer, helped organize some Ali fights.

When I used to be 2, Ali visited our house. Before he left, my father asked him: “What was your most difficult fight?”

In his third and last fight with Joe Frazier in Manila Ali, he said he didn’t need to get out of his stool within the 14th round. His coach, Angelo Dundee, pushed him off the stool, after which struck the phrase in 14. The competition became often known as “Trełka in Manila”.

“I wanted to give up, but someone pushed me out of the stool,” Ali told my father.

My close friend called me someday, and he said, “When we talk, he keeps me.” I added my dad to call, and he shared the story of Ali. My friend was crying. A couple of days earlier he thought about give up. However, our conversation pushed him out of the stool.

So, when Dr. Jones concluded that our interview rejuvenated him, I spotted that although he could conclude that he was in his years of dusk, he was inspired that folks who approached him enough to maintain this message about unity.

It seems to me that it is my duty to take care of the heritage of Dr. Jones and my father, in order that more young people will be inspired by the facility of the community. Along with this scholarship comes responsibility and support, as Jones offered King. Fisll tries to supply the identical to young people and their families.

My conversation with Dr. Jones gives me only more fuel and motivation to be sure that that the following generation didn’t miss the importance of individuals like Dr. Jones.

We still have problems dividing this country. It is vital to not say: “Hey, we recognize our black icons this month” and we go further.

We must consistently illustrate these values ​​of religion, honesty, dedication, leadership, heritage and heart of God once we attempt to honor Dr. Jones and those that paved our path to being here.