Thanks to my mom who introduced us kids to the timeless, classic films and music of the 50s, 60s and 70s.... I have fond memories of watching To Sir With Love and being in awe of this man who commanded the scene with his presence.
Watching the way he played the role of a teacher able to change his students from rowdy teenagers, to capable young adults... it made me think of my mom, a teacher who could take any class that other teachers didn't want... and turn them into students who were attentive, passed their exams, and still come looking for her, 20, 30, 4o years after she had taught them.
The type of teacher, who can get even the most unenthusiastic student interested in studying...
A neighbor, who was worried that her daughter was not concentrating in her studies, asked if my mom could help her a little by some tutoring...
My mom said yes and now the young girl, excitedly comes every few days a week to study with my mom... Making her mom and my mom so happy to see her so keen to learn...
It takes passion, and love and respect for the students you have pledged to teach, to be a successful teacher that will always be remembered...
The sincerity from my mom... The passionate way she teaches and the love for her students... Her avid love for knowledge that bounces off her and gets her students interested in their studies too...
I know that the reason I got through my schooling days and did well, was because of her guidance when young...
Which Sidney Poitier showed in To Sir with Love... I remember there was a scene in the movie, when he taught his students how to make a salad to get them to eat healthy...
And it resonated with me because I remember when I was young... seeing my mom take loaves of bread, eggs and all kinds of food to school...
She used those meals to teach her students... through dishes they could make and then enjoy... all while learning grammar, syntax and semantics... The sandwiches were probably awesome too... Nothing gets a student more interested in learning than breaking away from boring, monotonous drilling of lessons...
Sidney Poitier literally did take me from crayons to perfumes as I watched the movie as a kid and recently got the chance to re-watch not only this movie but all his other movies as well, with my mom.
He played each role with dignity and sheer talent, with the ability to convey so many emotions with just his facial expression.
Whether he was being stern in "To Sir with Love"... or charming in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"... Every scene... Every role he played... was memorable...
He lived his life with decency and inspired so many other actors and directors....
He paved the way for many after him... Sticking to his principles, and never taking roles or doing things that goes against his core beliefs and his conscious.... (or so I read)...
The first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor... A passionate activist, not just resting on his fame and fortune, but using it to make a difference in the world and changing the life of others for the better...
When you're gone, the thing you leave behind is not just memories of you... for all those who know you well...
But also your legacy...
His legacy was one of exceptional talent, a strong willpower to make a difference and a life not only remembered by many... but one that has inspired so many...
A true legend...
RIP Sidney Poitier. You were truly one of a kind.
Eternal rest grant unto you and may perpetual light shine upon you.
May your soul rest in peace.
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