(EDITOR’S NOTE: This article by Fred Foster was originally published on thewindompeak.com.)
A giant of the screen and entertainment industry, Sidney Poitier is one of the last remaining stars of Hollywood’s Golden era. From his breakthrough role in 1955, his career took off, breaking boundaries left and right along the way as as a black actor in the midcentury, he didn’t have it easy. In his honor, let’s take a look at the life of this perservering legend…
POITIER WAS A FIGHTER FROM THE START
Poitier fought for what was right and it was something that seemed to come naturally to him. That was because it did: he had been a fighter since the day that he was born. Poitier was born on February 20, 1927, to parents Evelyn and Reginald. His family lived a simple life on Cat Island in the Bahamas. Reginald, his father, was a cab driver who would often make trips to Miami in hopes of selling produce. At the time that Sidney was born, his parents were on one of these trips.
Sidney’s birth was a shock to both parents since he was two months premature. Being born early meant two things: firstly, that he was now a US citizen. And secondly, that he was extremely small and frail. So frail, in fact, that his parents had to stay in Florida for three months longer than expected.
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE NAME
Have you ever wondered where the name ‘Poitier’ comes from? While many believe that the name originated in Haiti, they would be incorrect. But then again, who would believe that a name like Poitier would come from England?
It was brought to the island by an English plantation owner by the name of Charles Leonard Poitier. He sailed from Jamaica to Cat Island with dozens of slaves. His surname was passed on through his slaves and has since been on the island.
THINGS WERE SIMPLER BACK THEN
When he turned 15, Poitier felt that he needed a change of scenery. And what better place to go and live than in his birthplace? At the time, Poitier wasn’t an only child.
It just so happened that his older brother was living in Miami and raising a large family. So, what was one more? Sidney decided to move in with his brother’s family and stayed there for a year. However, just one year later he had grown tired of it and needed another change. So once again, he packed up his life and moved to New York City. See Fred Foster article with photos at https://claireandjamie.com/view/?id=sidney-poitier-life-caj&src=facebook&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=caj_d_us_sofia_caj4_69987_sidney-poitier-life_all_conv-vid12_conv_both_18p_i-0_dynamic_cost-0.4_286447652&utm_medium=23849439431190270&fbclid=IwAR0NaIVQss5xNeSHdNwLfZXE46DgUcnQKyKBpBBRqL5xsqV74sxy3lGTt78&page=36
