Assignment: Read the following preface and article on legendary actress Ruby Dee. Write a brief response to the article that includes your thoughts about Ms. Dee and what you learned. (THIS ASSIGNMENT IS OPEN FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF FEBRUARY)
I wrote the following newspaper article for the January 30th 1995 edition of my college newspaper, The Statesman while attending SUNY Stony Brook. I share it with you because it was one of my first articles that I wrote for the paper and it gave me an opportunity to meet a living-legend, Ruby Dee. I guarantee you that you have seen her in a movie at some point (she played Denzel Washington's mother in American Gangster), but more importantly, she and her husband (the late Ossie Davis) are two of the great civil rights activists of our time. In fact, her husband delivered the eulogie at Malcolm X's funeral. Ms. Dee is a local celebrity and continues to live in New Rochelle, NY.
Ruby Dee, an acclaimed actress, writer, and speaker appeard at Stony Brook's Staller Center for the Arts. Thursday's special occasion coincided with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday (January 15), and the celebration of Black History Month. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ms. Dee, here are just a few of her milestones: an Emmy for her role in the made for television movie, DecorationDay, an Obie. award for her stage performance in Athol Fugard's "Boesmanand Lena"; received critical acclaim for her performance's in Spike Lee's "Do The RightThing" and "Jungle Fever"; inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in I989, as well as induction into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame.
The topic for Thursday's event was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When Stony Brook President, Dr. -Shirley Strum Kenny addressed the audience, she said to the many young faces in the crowd, "It's you, the young people, who must continue what Dr. King had started." Two Stony Brook seniors, Norvis Huezo and Natasha Payne were recognized as recipients of Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarships for their academic achievements.
The Stony Brook Gospel Choir then set the stage by singing three beautiful songs in honor of Dr. King as a prelude to the star of the evening. And the night did belong to Ruby Dee. Appearing on stage to the thunder of applause, one had the feeling you were in for a special night. Dee speaking in her usual elegant voice gave the audience just one complaint - she spoke for only 40 minutes. She read aloud her witty poems about love, life, and her strongest inspiration of all...God.
She proceeded to speak about Martin Luther King, whom she apparently knew quite well. Ruby spoke about his strength, his uncanny insight, and his love for music, words, and most of all the human race. Her performance ended with the following words of wisdom: "The past is gone, don't relive it. Our work is here, let's do it. Our world is wrong, let's right it.- The battle's hard, let's fight it. The path is blocked, let's clear it. The future is vast, don't fear it. If fate is asleep, let's wake it. The day is ours, let's take it!"
After her-performance, I had the privilege to speak with Ms. Dee backstage and listened intently as she spoke about Dr. King and what she would ask him if given the opportunity. "I would like him to tell us the way out of the economic dilemma - that not only this country, but the world has, and how can we fit people into the new equations." Dee also left a message for today's youth saying, "Don't be distracted by the noise and the brutality. Continue the spiritual revolution that must happen before everything else falls into place."
Enough said.
I feel like Ruby Dee was like Dr.King. Even though she didn't have protests and boycotts she still is carrying on his spirituality beliefs of rights for everyone. She gives in her time to "give knowledge" to younger teens like us because one of us might be the next freedom activist or the first women president. You does her best to help, she's not one of those people that say I believe and not do anything to help. She took action on what she believed in and that's why we adore her.
ReplyDeleteI think that Ruby Dee was a great civil rights leader. The people adored and listen to her opinions. She talked about her love of arts and Dr. King. She inspired people to more on to the future and the past is gone, that we'll can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteChelsea Garvey
Period 1
I think ruby Dee was courageous and loved to think of martin Luther king jr. who brought is all together.I think ever since she had read the speech she had more belief About the arts and spiritually of these words that said.I think that Ruby Dee is a good person bringing back memories to one another.Ruby Dee is a person you would listen to.She believes for other people who hear her speak she would love the world to adore it and love it for all that she can do.
ReplyDeleteDezere Watkins
Period 4
I think that Stony Brook Gospel Choir set the stage by singing three beautiful songs in honor of Dr. King as a prelude to the star of the evening was amazing. she spoke for only 40 minutes. She read aloud her witty poems about love, life, and her strongest inspiration of all...God. I think that Ruby Dee was a great civil rights leader.
ReplyDelete~Morelia Huaman~
period 4
Ruby Dee was a minor civil rights leader. She inspired many people with her words of truth and knowledge of the arts. She said stuff like seize the day and fight the battle. Words like these can relate to many lives of people who struggle or have problems. Ruby Dee has won awards for her screening and spoke to people about Dr King. Oh yea and Mr V, Christopher Columbus had only two wives.
ReplyDeleteJoshua V.
Period 7
Many people get excited and feel proud when someone tells them about Martin Luther King’s actions. But some of them don't even follow what he most encouraged: Civil Rights, peace, and treating people equally. Ruby Dee reminded people of the great Dr. King. She gave great speeches and quoted Dr. Kings speeches. She inspired people with her knowledge and truth. That is another person that should always be remembered for her bringing back good memories that remind us too care for everyone equally.
ReplyDelete-Maria Camila Puerta
-Period 1
I think Ruby Dee is an insperation to teenagers across the country because she is telling us that we can the change the world like what Dr.King did.He changed the world and if he can we can to.I think Ruby Dee is a great person to have speak to teens about the world today.She is truly an insperation.
ReplyDeleteMya Washington
Period 3
Ruby Dee is a really famous women who is known all around the nation. She is really talented. She is an actress, a writer, and a great speaker. She was a real inspiration to all. She also had some inspirational speeches. She inspired young people to make changes in our nation. She spoke to many young teens about how they can make a difference. She definitely changed the lives of some of the speeches she had. She really cared about the young people that will grow up to change the world.
ReplyDeleteShawn Thomas
In my personal opinion, I agree with the coments displayed above, that ruby dee is a magnificent leader,an inspirtation for young adults (Teens). She is a replica of dr.king well you know except she's female version. She has demonstrated that you should be proud of your race. Ruby is one of the many great people to look up to. Many people would have been against what she did,but not likely as many as back in dr.K's years.
ReplyDeleteVanessa Vilchis
Period-3 >,...,>
Ps: "lol" rlly? 0.o
Ruby Dee and Martin Luther king Jr. are friends becuase Martin is the great man like he did all the speaches. Like for ex. he made the black people and the white people made them together like he said we don't car if are skin color is differnt but we have the same skin and she liked the idea and they became friends and they both made the dission like lets be together like black and whit people.
ReplyDeleteThalia Huaman
period 3
In my opinion I think Ruby Dee is just like Martin Luther King Jr, a hero. Ruby Dee made her speech of Martin Luther King Jr. She said how Dr.K had a lot of strength and how he was very courages but there is more she did. She also encourage young people to do what Dr.K had left.So I do think Ruby Dee is very important just like Dr.K
ReplyDelete- Vishnu Unnithan
I think Ruby Dee was just as a hero as Martin Luther King Jr. she made speeches of him and told everyone of how strong and courageous he was and how he was like a gift to humanity. She was very important to her choir and everyone around her. she made many speeches and was encouraging people to do what Dr king did. Ruby Dee was a hero just like Dr. Martin Luther King or any civil rights leader
ReplyDelete-Adam Vatai period 1
Ruby Dee was a very inspiring women whose inspiration comes from Dr. King and more importantly, God. He spoke about the human race being strong and brave to take on anything in front of the SUNY Stony Brook audience. The main topic however is about Dr. King and how he was an inspiration to everyone. She spoke about Dr. King's strength, insights and his passion for the arts. Dee injected many speeches at people and also encouraged the people to show their rights and be proud of who they are.
ReplyDelete-James Michael Agpalo
-Period 1
When I read these articles Ruby Dee is an outstanding person.She may remind anyone about Dr.Martin Luther King because off her speeches who have may inspired others.She understands others and loves others.She believes that everyone should be proud of who they are and what the do.When she goes to Suny Stony Brook she is strong and brave to speak to the students to believe in them selfs.Ruby Dee is an inspiration to others just like Dr. Martin Luther Jr. however, she is still alive now.
ReplyDeleteEmily Santos
period 3
P.s Mr.V I know you went to Suny Stony Brook Mrs. U told me as well as Mr.Thompson
After reading the article, I think Ruby Dee is a strong and talented black woman. She is a great writer, actress and speaker. She loves to write poems about God. She also loves to write poems about life, happiness, and GOD. God inspires her. Ruby Dee is spiritual and believes in God. I also found out that Ruby Dee was great friends with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., She was lucky to be friends with one of the most important men in the world. Ruby Dee also seems to be friendly because she was open with Mr. Vegara. If I had a chance to meet Ruby Dee I would ask her to write a poem for me.
ReplyDeleteLamont 7th Period
Ruby Dee was a very important person who is known for her actions just like Martin Luther.King.She was an actress,writter,and speaker at the Stony Brook and performmed in the Stony Brook Gospel Choir.She seemed like a very inspirational and inspiring person with her words and action.Always one to help and see the wrongs that are going on,but follow throgh on fixing it.I learned that she was really close friends with Dr.Martin Luther King,and made a performance on his strength, and the love he had for music.
ReplyDeleteI think that Ruby Dee is another martin luther king but just in a female body.She is a speaker and she handles her business.If i meet he i would never stop asking questions.She was talented she was a actress,writer,and a speaker for our country.I want to be like her when the u.s starts being stupid again i want to be a hero to people and for them to look up to me.As you told us she was very good friends with Dr. martin Luther king and her husband was to but sadly he passed away we need more people like her in the world.These day people act like fools and try to be funny people should be more mature and get their grades strait.
ReplyDeletei think that martin luther king an ruby dee are alot alike meaning there both good speakers. i also think that they both tryed an succed to fight for freedom all over the world an thatz a good thing because those great speakers risked there lives for us
ReplyDeletetyeshawn mckenley
I think Ruby Dee is doing a good thing because she is keeping Marthin Luther King's cause alive.
ReplyDeleteRuby Dee's speeches were about Civil Rights.She also talked about how we should keep Martin Luther King's dream alive.
melany munoz
-period3-
I think that Martin Luther King and Ruby Dee are alike by both are good speakers and fought for the peoples freedom.Also they put their lives on the line for the peoples freedom so that we thank them for our freedom.
ReplyDeleteby DylonS.
I think that Ruby Dee is a powerful women who knew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and spoke about his "strength, his uncanny insight, and his love for music, words, and most of all the human race."She also had been an actress in many shows and movies.
ReplyDelete-Gino Gutierrez Period 4
I think that Rudy Dee looked up to Dr. King and believes that he is a hero just like all of us. Plus she's a hero herself too. I think that she accomplished so many things for surporting Dr. King. For example, being an actress, writer, and speaker. Another thing, we should also celebrate for her as a hero.
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
Sebastian Huidobro
i think Ruby Dee is another version of Dr.Martin Luther King because she wants she wants the same thing Dr.Martin Luther King wanted she wants to continue his legend.
ReplyDeleteis that gooddd mr.vegara
ReplyDelete