Sidney Poitier
Introduction to Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier was a major activist for the Civil Rights Movement. Being black, he had to face racism and discrimination in his time. Using his extraordinary acting skills, he managed to change the face of American movies forever. Sidney broke the color barrier. He did this by speaking at civil rights keynotes, acting in movies, and having a lot of charisma.
Sidney's Early Life
Sidney Poitier was born on February 20th, 1927, two and half months early. Born in Miami Florida, his family went back to the Bahamas as his birth was unexpected as they were on vacation. Back on the Bahamas, Sidney worked the hard life of tending his family's farm. Sadly, the farm was unsuccessful. His father seeing Sidney's trouble some attitude, decided to send him the U.S with his brother so he could learn his lesson. He later dropped out of school and joined the Army but left shortly after. Back in the New York, he started as a dishwasher to sustain him self. One day while reading the newspaper, he saw an ad for actors and the American Negro Theater. Without anything to lose, he reluctantly worked as a janitor there for acting lessons. This started his ground-breaking career.
Sidney Poitier and Civil Rights
Sidney Poitier was part of the major push for Civil Rights and the realization for them. He hosted several keynotes about his experiences with racism. One of biggest keynotes was on August 14, 1967. Here he was introduced by Martin Luther King who thought highly of him. Something that was not known was that Sidney was wealthy and he often donated funds to organizations which supported Civil Rights. He even went to rallies where he met when supporters where they marched to express they're demand for civil rights. A good word to describe Sidney Poitiers involvement is universal as he gave funds but he didn't sit. He marched like the rest to help.
Sidney Poitier's most important contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
By far Sidney Poitier will be known for breaking the color barrier. Like Jackie Robinson, he broke the color barrier but unlike Robinson, he broke it in acting. He did it being the first black man to have a leading role in movie. This was a radical change for black actors as they were usually slaves and other demeaning roles. Sidney purposely picked movies where his role was of being a powerful black man. To finish it off, he was the first African American to win the academy award for Best Actor. This radical change helped question or change people thoughts on African Americans and helped the Civil Rights movement.
Quotes From Sidney Poitier
"I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was... a human being." (Sidney is saying that he never thought being a different color was a issue, he saw everyone as human being.)
"I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people." (Sidney was the only black person on set because there wasn't many people acting back then and he is saying he is representing 18 million blacks as well.)
I lived in a country where I couldn't live where I wanted to live. I lived in a country where I couldn't go where I wanted to eat. I lived in a country where I couldn't get a job, except for those put aside for people of my colour or caste.(He is saying that he dose not have the freedom as white people unless those people put aside his race.)
Sidney with his Medal of Freedom medal
Sidney Poitier with Harry Belafonte, and Southern Sit in Leader Bernard Lee, at Civil Rights Rally
Sidney Poitier meeting and discussing civil rights with supporters.
Promotional poster for one the movies that defined Sidney Poitier.
Sidney was a proud and well known performer that believed in equal rights. He was a pioneer in the movie industry, being one of the first famous black actors. He has won many awards in and film and in human and civil rights. He was very active with the movement, like marching with the people not just sitting there.
Bibs
"Keynote Address Introduction for Sidney Poitier." The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/document/keynote-address-introduction-sidney-poitier>.
"Sidney Poitier -- Academy of Achievement Photo Credit." Sidney Poitier -- Academy of Achievement Photo Credit. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/photocredit/achievers/poi0-014>.
"Sidney Poitier - Biography - Movies & TV - NYTimes.com." Sidney Poitier - Biography - Movies & TV - NYTimes.com. N.p., 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://movies.nytimes.com/person/531681/Sidney-Poitier/biography>.
"Sidney Poitier - Biography - Movies & TV - NYTimes.com." Sidney Poitier - Biography - Movies & TV - NYTimes.com. N.p., 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://movies.nytimes.com/person/531681/Sidney-Poitier/biography>.
"Sidney Poitier Biography." -- Academy of Achievement. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/poi0bio-1>.
"Sidney Poitier Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/sidney-poitier-9443345>.
"Sidney Poitier." Turner Classic Movies. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/153567|140664/Sidney-Poitier/biography.html>.