[CIVIL RIGHTS]. DAVIS, Ossie (1917-2005). Typed document signed in ink ("Ossie Davis"), in response to a magazine editor's question asking why he eulogized Malcolm X.

4pp, 8 1/2 x 11 in., light spots of discoloration to first page. Heading reads, "Ossie Davis / On Malcolm X."

Davis defends his eulogy, and Malcolm X, in part: "He also knew that every Negro who did not challenge on the spot every instance of racism, overt or covert, committed against him and his people, who chose instead to swallow his spit and go on smiling, was an Uncle Tom and a traitor, without balls or guts, or any other commonly accepted aspects of manhood!"

Provenance: Acquired directly from Ossie Davis 3 decades ago (consignor note).

Davis was an actor and one of the most notable black directors of his generation, along with Melvin Van Peebles and Gordon Parks. He and his wife Ruby Dee were well known activists during the Civil Rights movement and were close friends to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other icons of the era. It was Davis, that alongside Ahmed Osman, delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Malcolm X on 27 February 1965. He re-read part of this eulogy at the end of Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X."

Property from a 35-Year Collection from the Southern United States

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Hindman.

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Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

African Americana

[CIVIL RIGHTS]. DAVIS, Ossie (1917-2005). Typed document signed in ink ("Ossie Davis"), in response to a magazine editor's question asking why he eulogized Malcolm X.

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