Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis:
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Howard UniversityAs Americans we are hugely indebted to entertainer and activist Ossie Davis (b.1917-d. Feb 4, 2005). He truly lived out his spoken words, "struggle is strengthening. Battling with evil gives us the power to battle evil even more."

To see the world through Davis' eyes is to embrace his vision of art as raw, magnificent power--the power to propel people forward into a new era, and to fuel the workers for the advancement of mankind. In his words, "The profoundest commitment possible to a black creator in this country today--beyond all creeds, crafts, classes and ideologies whatsoever--is to bring before his people the scent of freedom."

Davis was born on December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Georgia. He came to DC to the March on Washington and studied at Howard University from 1935 to 1939. Afterwards, Davis moved to Harlem and joined the Rose McClendon Players as an actor. On December 9, 1948, he married a fellow actress, Ruby Dee.

Davis used his career opportunities and the energy he derived from his art to fight injustices in America. He engaged and led others in social justice causes, such as the civil rights and workers' rights movements. He fought against police brutality, joined Martin Luther King, Jr. in his protests, and raised money to support the Freedom Riders who were arrested in the South for violating segregation laws. Even McCarthy-era slander did not daunt this courageous soul or detract from his energy and mission.

Upon his recent death, as we review his legacy, we are reminded of how he so clearly showed us the power within ourselves to positively transform society. As Ossie Davis said in his eulogy for Malcom X, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves.

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