Ossie Davis on Malcolm X
'In honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves'
Published Feb 13, 2005 8:31 PM
Excerpts from the eulogy delivered by the late Ossie Davis at
the funeral of Malcolm X, Feb. 27, 1965.
Here--at this final
hour, in this quiet place--Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its
brightest hopes--extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem 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--in Harlem--to share these last moments with him. For Harlem has ever
been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought for her, and have
defended her honor even to the death.
It is not in the memory of man that
this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a
braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before
us--unconquered still. Afro-American Malcolm was most meticulous in his use of
words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men.
Malcolm had stopped being a "Negro" years ago. It had become too weak a word for
him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he
wanted--so desperately--that all his people would become Afro-Americans
too.
There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the
Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his
memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent
times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial
and bold young captain--and we will smile. Many will say turn away from this
man, for he is a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the Black
man--and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate--a fanatic, a
racist--who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will
answer and say to them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch
him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do
a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public
disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would
know why we must honor him.
Malcolm was our living, black manhood! This
was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in
ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: "My
journey," he says, "is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I
started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for
freedom and dignity in the States. I am writing these things so that you will
know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African
States for our Human Rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a United
Front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each
other." However we may have differed with him--or with each other about him--let
his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.
Consigning these
mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that
what we place in the ground is no more now a man--but a seed--which, after the
winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. And we will know him
then for what he was and is, our own black shining Prince!--who didn't hesitate
to die, because he loved us so.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email:
[email protected]
Subscribe
[email protected]
Support independent news
DONATE