I still get tears in my eyes when I hear Lulu start singing, "those schoolgirl days..." To Sir with Love is how I was first exposed to the power of his performances.
"If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high... to Sir, with love..."
Sidney Poitier had what today's left wing activist actor/actress does not, and I suspect never will again.
Dignity.
Denzel Washington told him one year, from the podium, to his face as he sat in the audience, "I love you, I respect you, I EMULATE you." So many did, some without even realizing it. That is the effect of dignity, of confidence, of strength of character.
I am prepared to defend the idea that Poitier ALONE made more progress advancing American opinions and views than any other single person save MLK. I might lose that argument, but I'm all in for it.
Sidney Poitier brought DIGNITY to his work, and to what he cared about.
It made all the difference.
