They’re my favorite characters on ‘Do the Right Thing‘ that happens to also be one of my favorite real-life couples to ever grace our screens.
I never knew them personally, so I can only speak about them as a fan and an admirer of their love and work, individually and collectively. In the vast landscape of love stories that grace our world, few shine as brightly as the partnership between Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Especially during those times when Blacks had to deal with segregation and devaluation. Their union, a beacon of strength, resilience, and unwavering love, serves as an inspiration to me.
Why?
Because their union gives me hope. As a woman in her late 40s who dates with intention, the dating pool in 2024 has turned into a cess pool of people with unhealthy attachment, toxic sex, and unhealed trauma. Yet, I continue to work on becoming the best version of me, until my own Ossie comes along, healing and becoming whole, just as I. Long before the JayZ and Beyonces, The Denzels and Paulettas, and even the Barack and Michelles, we had Ossie Davis and Rubie Dee. Their relationship and dedication to their mission, to me, is the BLUEPRINT.
Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, both towering figures in American theater, film, and activism, first crossed paths in the 1940s. What began as a professional collaboration blossomed into a lifelong romance, marked by mutual respect, shared values, and a deep commitment to social justice. Together, they navigated the complexities of life as Black artists in a racially divided society, using their platform to champion equality and challenge injustice.
Let’s not forget their works in a few of my favorite films. Let’s just say Spike kept the king and queen workin’!
Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee
While Ossie’s commanding presence and eloquence captivated audiences on stage and screen, Ruby’s grace, intelligence, and fierce determination left an indelible mark on every role she inhabited. Together, they formed a formidable team, amplifying each other’s voices and leaving an indomitable legacy that continues to resonate, even after their untimely deaths.
Beyond their professional achievements, it was their unwavering support and devotion to one another that truly defined their relationship. In the face of adversity, they stood as pillars of strength, weathering life’s storms with grace and resilience. Their love was NOT without its challenges, yet they navigated every obstacle with unwavering determination and an unwavering belief in each other. I’m inclined to believe they’ve had personal challenges behind closed doors, as any couple would. That’s a normal and natural process when you’re nurturing one another. As with any healthy relationship, we GO through challenges, but we also GROW through challenges, as well.
What sets Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee apart is not just the longevity of their marriage, but the depth of their connection and the impact they had on the world around them. Their love was not passive but active, a force for change and progress. Together, they marched side by side in the struggle for civil rights, using their art as a tool for social transformation. In doing so, they embodied the true essence of partnership, where love is not just a feeling but a call to action.
Ossie and Ruby have shown me that true love knows no bounds, transcending time, distance, and circumstance. They have taught me that a successful relationship is not measured by the absence of CONFLICT but by the strength of the bond that WITHSTANDS it. They have inspired me becoming a woman who deserves a union built by God, like theirs. Their union is also built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared values, and unwavering support.
Ossie and Ruby were more than just a couple; they were soulmates and partners in every sense of the word. Their love story serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a deeper, more meaningful connection with our own partners. As I embark on my own journey of love and partnership, I carry with me the lessons learned from their extraordinary example, ever mindful of the power of their love and respect for one another.
I am Mother Sister, and my The Mayor is out there somewhere.
