ACTivism, Or Lack Thereof

Legendary actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Last week, I, along with the other Student Brand Ambassadors, watched “An Evening with Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee”. This program was illuminating, and I learned so much about two Black legends whom I previously was unfamiliar with. The original power couple, Davis and Dee both had tremendous film careers, often working together on projects. Their artistry is one that, while I knew a little about, was not familiar with its entire extent, and I was impressed with what I learned.

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee in their younger years.

I also learned a lot about the couple’s activism and political work. Both Davis and Dee aligned themselves with leftist politics, which was a brave move in the age of McCarthyism. They championed for rights for Black people and for poor people. Notably, they were heavily involved in the campaign to free activist Angela Davis from jail. I was shocked to see Angela Davis introduce the couple, because she is a legend in her own right; however, after watching the program, I understand the depth of their relationship.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Wanted Sign for Angela Davis.

In our weekly meeting, the other ambassadors and myself began to discuss Ossie Davis’ and Ruby Dee’s political involvement compared to other entertainers. There were entertainers in the time of Davis and Dee, such as Paul Robeson, who took clear and strong political stances, and sometimes suffered repercussions because of it. However, we could not think of many entertainers today, let alone couples, who are heavily involved in political organizing beyond an Instagram video or an endorsement. If I think briefly, I can identify some entertainers, such as the rapper Noname, who are politically active in their communities. However, the list is short, and many of these entertainers do not take strong positions like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee did.

Los Angeles-based rapper Noname at a performance.

The discussion we had in our meeting led me to reflect further on political action in the world of entertainment. Throughout my time as a Student Brand Ambassador for The HistoryMakers, I have written about my academic journey frequently; I am currently majoring in Political Science, double minoring in African-American Studies and Sociology, and pursuing an Integrated Marketing Communications Certificate. I could see connections to all of my areas of studies through my reflection on the plight of entertainers becoming involved in activism today. The political landscape is significantly changed from what it was in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Social issues which used to unite the Black community have now become divisive as the War on Drugs, Reaganomics, the Great Recession, and the Trump era have all taken their toll on the Black collective consciousness. Additionally, from a financial standpoint, it can be risky for entertainers to make bold political statements, as it might result in the alienation of much of their fanbase. There are a plethora of reasons why entertainers today are not as politically active as they used to be.

Entertainers Beyonce and Jay-Z have been considered a power couple by many. Is their legacy enough to parallel Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee’s?

Is political action in entertainment something that society should try to rebuild, or is it just something to reminisce over? There are many questions which require more than one person to answer. However, I believe that real political organization should build from the bottom to the top; if celebrities choose to join and support a cause, so be it. However, a modern day Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee might never come, and that is okay.