David E. Harris, a former Air Force bomber pilot who on the peak of the civil rights motion within the Sixties turned the primary Black pilot employed by a serious business airline within the United States, died on March 8 in Marietta, Ga., about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta. He was 89.
His loss of life, at a hospice heart, was confirmed by his daughter Leslie Germaine.
American Airlines employed Mr. Harris in 1964, and he flew for the service for 30 years, rising to captain in 1967. In 1984, he made historical past for the second time with American when he flew with the primary all-Black cockpit crew on a business airliner.
Before Mr. Harris was employed, airline executives had discriminated for years towards Black pilots out of worry that white passengers wouldn’t wish to board the planes they flew, and that it might be too troublesome to search out them lodge lodging.
“He knew that he was extremely qualified, so on paper he would seem like an ideal candidate to many commercial airlines,” Michael H. Cottman wrote in his e book “Segregated Skies: David Harris’s Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers” (2021). “But once he was brought in for an interview, and a prospective employer saw the color of his skin, he was concerned that he would face disappointment again and again.”
Mr. Harris, who had a lightweight complexion and inexperienced eyes, additionally feared that airline staff may mistakenly assume he was white. He determined to depart little question about who he was, ending his utility letters by writing, “I’m married, I have two children, and I’m a Negro.”
Several airways didn’t even trouble replying.
Another Black pilot, Marlon D. Green, was among the many first to battle again in court docket. He sued Continental Airlines for racial discrimination after he was denied a job in 1957. The case wound up within the U.S. Supreme Court, which dominated in Mr. Green’s favor in 1963; Continental employed him in 1965.
“Marlon Green is part of aviation and civil rights history,” Mr. Harris was quoted as saying in Mr. Cottman’s e book. “He paved the way for me and for many other Black pilots who followed.”
In 1964, Mr. Harris acquired a telegram from American Airlines arranging for an interview in Dallas with the corporate’s chief pilot. Even after Mr. Green’s authorized victory, Mr. Harris nonetheless had doubts about whether or not his {qualifications} have been sufficient for him to get employed.
“I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings with you or your company,” Mr. Harris informed the chief pilot, based on Mr. Cottman’s e book. “I am a Negro. I’m a little concerned because I’ve put this in a lot of applications at other airlines and I was turned down.”
“Young pilot,” the chief pilot replied, “this is American Airlines. We don’t care if you’re Black, white or chartreuse. We only want to know this: Can you fly the plane the right way?”
Mr. Harris answered affirmatively.
David Ellsworth Harris was born on Dec. 22, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio. His father, Wilbur Harris Sr., was a plumber, electrician and carpenter who put in service station tools. His mom, Ruth Arlene (Estis) Harris, managed the family.
Mr. Harris attended the Ohio State University, the place he studied training and was a member of the Air Force R.O.T.C. After graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s diploma and an Air Force fee, he started flight coaching at Bartow Air Base in Florida, the place he flew B-52 and B-47 bombers. He retired in 1964 as a captain.
Mr. Harris married Linda Dandridge in 1958. They divorced in 1984 however remained lifelong pals. His second spouse, Virginia Lynne Harris, died in 2000. In addition to his daughter Leslie, he’s survived by one other daughter, Camian Harris-Foley; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In 1971, Whitney M. Young Jr., the chief director of the National Urban League and a towering chief within the civil rights motion, drowned whereas swimming in Lagos, Nigeria.
Mr. Young’s spouse chartered an American Airlines aircraft to move her husband’s physique from his funeral in New York to his burial in Kentucky. Several civil rights leaders, together with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, can be on board. She requested that Mr. Harris function pilot.
As Mr. Harris left the home that morning, his spouse joked: “For goodness’ sake, don’t screw this up. You’ll wipe out the entire civil rights movement!”
Mr. Harris thought-about that flight among the many most essential of his profession.
“I was flattered that she requested I fly the charter,” he stated. “It was an honor.”
Source: www.nytimes.com