Ossie Davis: Rest in Power

I was very saddened to read in the paper yesterday of the death of Ossie Davis, actor, director, activist and husband to actor Ruby Dee. Mr. Davis was one of those celebrity father-figure types, the kind of man that seemed to walk and act with integrity.

Seemingly tireless 'til the end, Mr. Davis passed away this past Friday, just days after the start of shooting for a new film in Miami. I know that many people in this country and all over the world will mourn the loss of this great artist and activist.

One thing I always remembered him for was that, in his eulogy for Malcolm X, he spoke emotionally about how Malcolm was, no matter whether you agreed with him or not, a real 'Man', and that Ossie had known that there were times when he himself did not act quite like a 'man' because of what this racist system of oppression had forced him to do. And then of course we cannot forget that he called Malcolm "our shining Black prince."

To me, and I'm sure to many others, Ossie Davis was a Man, a man of dignity and elegance, talent and intelligence. May he rest in peace and power, and may the civil and human rights he fought to secure for all people be realized one day.

Blessings,
Rona