When it comes to Black love, Ossie said it best. “The best of me has been subsidized by the best of what you are.” Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis took their love for and the best of each other and used it in unimaginable ways for the Black community.
Two remarkable figures in theater and civil rights activism, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis shared a love story spanning over six decades. Their partnership was fueled by their shared commitment to social justice and equality.
They marched and served as emcees for the 1963 March on Washington, worked for the Congress of Racial Equity, and read the eulogy for Malcom X’s funeral. They fearlessly challenged racial stereotypes through their powerful performances on stage and screen through their artistic collaborations, such as "A Raisin in the Sun" and “Do the Right Thing.”
The couple became the symbol for what it meant to be Black and in the public sphere, using their talents to become writers and influencers for a variety of Black publications and developing ideas to inspire Black intellectualism.
The love story of Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis is a tale for the ages. Their love of art, activism, and each other formed a bond that powered their collective action. How can we take the love and passion in our lives and use it for the greater good of our community today?