Ossie Davis Returns to Howard U. to “Pay Back”

by | Oct 30, 2003 | Blog | 595 comments

Written by Charreah Jackson – Black College Wire
Thursday, 30 October 2003
ossie_davis79490.jpg

 

Photo credit: Howard University

Ossie Davis

As students walked the halls of Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications, many probably did a double take when they read, “Ossie Davis, Annenberg Professor of Communications” on one of the office doors.

The legendary actor, playwright, director, screenwriter, producer, author and political activist spent Oct. 20 and 21 sharing with students his knowledge and wisdom.

Davis is new to the title of Howard professor, but he is not new to speaking at events associated with the university. He is a regular attendee at Convocation, for example, and most important, he attended Howard for his undergraduate studies.

“I have always felt obligated to this university,” Davis said.

Davis’ lecture, open to all students, was called “What Happened to Me on This Campus.”

After more than 60 years, Davis still credits Howard with making the difference in his life. “Howard University played a major role into making the person I am today,” he said. I came here on a ‘poor folks’ scholarship and I did not have to pay a dime for tuition. Maybe now I can pay back what was given to me. I am interested in passing on to students what was passed to me those many years ago.”

As students rush to and from class or check on their financial aid, Davis asked that students remember key figures in the black community, figures such as James W. Butcher, who built a dollhouse and furniture enterprise; Mordecai Johnson, first African American president of Howard University; the scholar Alain Locke, and poet Sterling Brown, men who not only had a major impact on Davis, but on the entire university and world.

Davis said he was excited by the reaction from students.

“The response has been extraordinary but I expected that,” Davis said jubilantly. “I am prepared to use all the tricks I learned here at Howard in making myself welcomed and interacting with people, and so far the tricks have worked.” Davis, who will be 86 on Dec. 18, is still hard at work and even now working on a play.

“I never planned to retire and I am not planning to now,” Davis said. “As for relaxation, that can only come as part of the satisfaction of being alive and active in all aspects of the arts and entertainment.”

Davis is a direct link to the struggle many students only read about. In 1965, he gave the eulogy at the funeral of his good friend Malcolm X, for example.

“I want students to know Malcolm was and still is an important part of the black experience,” Davis said. “Giving the eulogy was my only way to keep from crying and it was part of my effort to be a part of the Harlem community in paying tribute to a fallen hero.”

Davis also spoke with students in the School of Communication’s Annenberg Honors program. He shared his experiences at Howard in the late 1930s and challenged students to never forget the less fortunate.

“While you are molding your minds, remember those who you left behind and did not make it to Howard,” he said. “Remember they are your brothers and sisters.”

Davis planned to be back in November, and his lectures will be open to all. He urged students to recognize that although the fight against Jim Crow is over, segregation and exclusion now have a different face. Students at Howard must gain the knowledge to fight that new face and be empowered, he said.

http://www.blackcollegewire.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5058

595 Comments

  3. StevEral
    StevEral on 9 May, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    Buy Prednisone No Prescription Generic Dutasteride Avodart For Sale Quick Shipping New Orleans online pharmacy Cephalexin Dosage For Cats Mtabs Viagra Finasteride With Next Day Delivery

    Reply
  6. StevEral
    StevEral on 9 June, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    Flagyl No Prescription Amoxicillin Keep In Freezer Alli Xenical generic viagra Side Affects Of Keflex Achat Viagra Livraison Rapide Cialis 20mg 8 Stuck

    Reply
  7. EllSnania
    EllSnania on 9 June, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    Cialis Und Co Erfahrungen Is Iti Illegal To Buy Drugs From Canada Amiloride Amoxicillin Dosage In Dog Cheap Tamoxifen Variety Package With Apcalis

    Reply
  8. StepSox
    StepSox on 17 June, 2019 at 5:18 am

    Se Puede Comprar Levitra Sin Receta Viagra Levitra Contre Cialis Buy Allopurinol Without A Prescription Viagra Rezeptfrei Versandapotheken What Is The Stronges Viagra Pill Kamagra Gel 100 Mg

    Reply
  11. StepSox
    StepSox on 25 June, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    Comprar Viagra Sin Receta Medica cialis generic Priligy Bugiardino Cialis 5mg Bestellen

    Reply
  12. StevEral
    StevEral on 26 June, 2019 at 10:43 am

    Retiro De Propecia cialis 20mg for sale Propecia Dosage Women Cialis Gunstig Mit Rezept Kaufen Macrobid 100mg How To Buy Free Consultation

    Reply
  16. EllSnania
    EllSnania on 9 July, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    Cialis Contrareembolso Espana Viagra 100mg Online Reputable Site Propecia Perte Cheveux Azithromycin Purchase Over Counter Viagra 100mg For Sale Tarif Viagra Pharmacie

    Reply
  20. StevEral
    StevEral on 19 November, 2019 at 1:34 am

    Cialis Super Active 20mg Achat De Kamagra Au Canada Cialis 5mg Price cialis Kamagra For Girls Viagra 28 Ans

    Reply
  21. AlbertMor
    AlbertMor on 7 December, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    girl likes viagra erection fake viagra pills cialis from india online pharmacy

    Reply
  184. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 4 February, 2020 at 3:16 am

    You revealed that superbly! advair diskus

    Reply
  219. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 8 February, 2020 at 12:00 am

    With thanks. I appreciate this! indera

    Reply
  239. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 10 February, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    Excellent knowledge. Many thanks! trimox

    Reply
  243. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 11 February, 2020 at 8:50 am

    Cheers! Plenty of material.
    cialis pills

    Reply
  245. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 11 February, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    You actually revealed this perfectly! fluconazol

    Reply
  248. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 12 February, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Reliable posts. Thanks! trimox

    Reply
  251. Ernestorefe
    Ernestorefe on 13 February, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    Whoa all kinds of amazing advice. baclofen 10mg

    Reply
  255. LarryAdjus
    LarryAdjus on 14 February, 2020 at 11:30 am

    You mentioned that very well. zestoretic

    Reply
  291. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 1 March, 2020 at 5:16 pm

    Awesome forum posts, Regards. viagra 100mg

    Reply
  302. Miguelnuawn
    Miguelnuawn on 6 March, 2020 at 10:08 am

    Beneficial knowledge. Appreciate it.

    Reply
  307. Miguelnuawn
    Miguelnuawn on 7 March, 2020 at 5:22 am

    You actually reported this wonderfully!

    Reply
  322. Miguelnuawn
    Miguelnuawn on 8 March, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    Really all kinds of terrific advice!

    Reply
  326. Miguelnuawn
    Miguelnuawn on 9 March, 2020 at 5:41 am

    Truly lots of beneficial material!

    Reply
  357. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 17 April, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    Cheers. Quite a lot of postings!
    women viagra

    Reply
  358. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 18 April, 2020 at 4:40 am

    Thank you, Very good information! teva viagra

    Reply
  359. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 18 April, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    Helpful stuff. With thanks! canada drugs

    Reply
  360. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 19 April, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    Kudos. An abundance of info!
    viagra pills

    Reply
  365. KeithNug
    KeithNug on 21 April, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    You made your stand quite clearly.. cialis pills

    Reply
  367. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 4 May, 2020 at 7:24 am

    cialis china buy http://zithazi.com – buy zithromax cialis black 800mg pills

    Reply
  368. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 4 May, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    buy viagra uk quick delivery http://zithazi.com – cheap zithromax order cialis online pharmacy

    Reply
  370. DonaldCaf
    DonaldCaf on 5 May, 2020 at 5:16 am

    cialis discount pharmacy http://alexa24ph.com – viagra pills buy generic cialis usa

    Reply
  448. cialis buy
    cialis buy on 15 May, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    5mg cialis cost
    cialis competitor login
    cialis 20mg
     – buy cialis and pay with pay pal
    cialis middot

    Reply
  470. Donaldnip
    Donaldnip on 23 May, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    viagra in action viagra

    Reply
  498. Robinalusy
    Robinalusy on 9 June, 2020 at 10:24 pm

    Terrific forum posts. Appreciate it!

    Reply
  516. Jerrycrifs
    Jerrycrifs on 21 June, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    Знаете ли вы?
    Битву русских дружин и монголо-татар возле леса отмечают сразу в трёх селениях.
    Подруга и последовательница Льва Толстого уже в детстве ходила босиком и отвергала нарядную одежду.
    Старейшую в России организацию реставраторов велено было выселить и уплотнить.
    Советские военные операторы на базе ленд-лизовского кинопулемёта и ППШ создали киноавтомат.
    Возможно, что американцы уже в 1872 году вмешались в канадские выборы.

    arbeca

    Reply
  517. Jeromenow
    Jeromenow on 22 June, 2020 at 11:49 am

    generic cialis bitcoin buy cialis
    bestpricemedz.com viagra without doctor prescription

    Reply
  521. Jeromenow
    Jeromenow on 25 June, 2020 at 4:13 am

    what is cialis buy cialis
    bestpricemedz.com buy generic cialis

    Reply
  538. DustinJug
    DustinJug on 28 June, 2020 at 7:16 am

    Truly a good deal of amazing data. 247 loans i need a loan with bad credit

    Reply
  567. Shannonfauth
    Shannonfauth on 1 July, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    cialis before and after buy cialis
    tadalafilprof.com – cialis before and after

    Reply
  573. Shannonfauth
    Shannonfauth on 2 July, 2020 at 10:31 am

    cialis 30 day sample buy cialis
    tadalafilprof.com – cheap cialis

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by Comment SPAM Wiper.