The Day Ossie Died

“Here – at this final hour, in this quiet place – Black Love and Endurance has come to bid farewell to one half of a team that held its brightest hopes -extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Black Love and Endurance is where he worked and where he struggled and fought – his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are – and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again to share these last moments with him. For Black Love and Endurance have ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought her, and have defended her honor even to the death.”

One half of the most wonderful, inspiring, TOGETHER couple that Black Love has had the pleasure of championing. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were the true hope for Black Love. Black Married Couple. Black Relationships. Yes they fought for civil rights and are amazing thespians and poets. But the way they affected me is in their endurance. They made it through to fulfill the vows. Whatever problems they faced, and I’m POSITIVE it was MANY… they handled them internally and turned their unified face to the public every time. They held hands and appeared on stage and on screen together; the fought world sized battles together. They stayed in love, for as much as we know. I cried a little this morning when I heard that he died. I only met him once when he was presenting an award to me as an undergrad. I know he doesn’t remember, but meeting him was like meeting an idol.

I don’t want to keep referring to the both of them as being gone. But they were a unit. They were the example. Look Black Couples: attempt to be like Ossie and Ruby. They are our grand examples. And now, no more example. Who do we turn to now. I hope their impression was strong enough to give us strength to be our own examples.

Vernie cried the other day over the phone when i told her that me and my baby almost split up a few weeks ago. He and I aren’t perfect. And we certainly have our share of problems. But resolving them then turning the unified face to the world… is the goal. I pray that their example really shines on for generations and generations. We’ll need the light to guide us through the years.

Goodbye Ossie. Thank you for the guidance and leadership. You were our father figure in a time where people don’t know theirs anymore. We’ll keep an eye on Ruby till you can again.

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