In Memoriam: A salute to Sidney Poitier

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   Credence2posted 3 years ago

   Most are aware of the recent passing of Sidney Poitier last January 6th at the age of 94 years.
   
   Many would say that this would be part of an entertainment forum, but Sidney Poitier was so much more.
   
   I am taken back to the 1960's when all of us kids were piled into the car for a trip to the drive in.
   
   Mums, was and remains a fan of every "Elvis" movie ever made and movies that featured Sidney Poitier as an actor.
   
   What atrocious times, stuck in a car with a single monoral speaker unit that must of been made of cast iron.
   
   During those years of the Civil Rights Movement, there were other fronts in the war beyond the most obvious ones. They were composed of the men and women determined to stand tall against all adversity and resistance from outside. We had such people in Mohammed Ali and Sidney Poitier.
   
   Positive role models in the media was an important front in the struggle, people like Michelle Nichols of television's Star Trek and Sidney Poitier of the cinema were setting the standard. Mr. Poitier never accepted stereotypical or otherwise demeaning roles in any of his films, knowing full well that American Blacks were looking at him as a positive example during tumultuous times.
   
   My personal favorites were "To Sir, With Love" and "In the Heat of the Night" both released in 1967.
   
   The one scene in "The Heat of the Night", Poitier's character was that of a Philadelphia detective attempting to solve a homicide in a small Southern town in Mississippi. As part of the investigation, he asked pointed questions to a rather bigoted local botanist type. This botanist found Portier's character, Virgil Tibbs, insolent for his just being there in a position to question him. Consequently the man slapped him, but instead of sulking away, Virgin slapped him back, and THAT was the slap heard round the world. Dignity and self respect was maintained, as I read that Poitier insisted that this action as a response to the actions of the botanist be included in the film.
   
   His skills as a director, actor and civil rights activist of his own making, made him more than just another entertainer who has died.

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      GA Andersonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      I think his character in Heat of the Night will be his legacy.
      
      GA

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         Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, indeed, Virgil Tibbs was the king of cool....

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      tsmogposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      A tip of the hat to Sidney and RIP. He will be remembered as an iconic actor especially as a character actor. Yes, as shared many of his films impacted our society then.
      
      Curious I did a peek looking at his films list with link posted below. There were many I had forgotten like Buck and the Preacher. He did make an impact as a Black Actor leading those who followed him.
      
      Like you my family of five kids and parents piled into a station wagon to go see him in Lilies of the Field his Academy Award performance. It won five including Best Picture. I remember it most because it was on regular network TV a lot around Easter time. Love the whole move and the singing Amen segment. The others didn't get as much exposure over the years, so have vague memory of them.
      
      His films . . worth a look.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Po … ilmography

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         Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         That is quite a layout, he has done quite a bit of work.

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   Sharlee01posted 3 years ago

   I will age myself, but Oh well... One of my favorite Poitier films was "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". He possessed a melodious voice and just appeared to be very gracious and eloquent.
   
   He left his mark... and will long be remembered.

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      Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      "Guess Who is Coming to Dinner", that definitely was a hot one.

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      Castlepalomaposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      loved Guess Who Is coming to Dinner
      
      I've dated a few black women.

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   IslandBitesposted 3 years ago

   "I think about death, but I'm not fearful of it. I've reduced the concept of my existence, by saying, 'I truly, truly try to be better tomorrow than I was today.' And I mean better as simply a better human being, not a better actor, not a better anything, but just a better human being. That will please me well. And, when I die I will not be afraid of having lived."- SP
   
   That sums it all up. Respect. RIP.

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      Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      How true, thanks...

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      Sharlee01posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for sharing this ...

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   Valeantposted 3 years ago

   Some of his most critically acclaimed work came before me, but that did not stop me from appreciating him in Little Nikita (1988) and Sneakers (1992).

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      Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      True, his talents on screen and behind it  continued well up till the turn of the century.

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         gmwilliamsposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         As a Black woman who grew up in the 1960s, Mr. Poiter represented the unapologetic Black man who refuses to cower before any person.  He was proud of his Blackness, didn't take any nonsense from anyone.  He was the complete antithesis of Steppin Fetchit.   Mr. Poiter ushered the era of the proud, fierce Black man.

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            Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            I would say that so called "Blackexploitation" films usher in the brothers that took no guff. I am reminded of Richard Roundtree in "Shaft" in 1971.
            
            Poitier character's  appeal was more of that of an well educated and knowledgeable person who was always a step or two ahead of his surroundings. His respect did not come from being fierce but by being more intelligent and reasonable when compared with his adversaries. That "cool" of dignity,  self control  and being the smartest in the room were positive traits that many of us saw as having great value, me included.

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   Kenna McHughposted 3 years ago

   One fine actor!  He worked as a dishwasher and was taught how to read by a Jewish waiter. That waiter changed his life, so he could join a theatre company and make a positive impact.

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      Credence2posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      True, no one is ever truly great without getting a helping hand from someone, somewhere at the right time.

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