Sidney Poitier presented with The Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom Awards, Wednesday, August 12, 2009. Video edited by VideoWebb🎥 (323)757-7551
Can anyone tell me the AWFUL woman off camera here at this ceremony who announced Sidney by misprouncing his last name 3 times?? How IGNORANT OF HER! His last name is French! It's pronounced " Poi- tier", not " Potier"! Not POT, but POIT! President Obama got it right but NOT this woman!
My parents didn't leave me much but they did instill in me a respect for people of all ethnicity, race and religion. It wasn't taught outright but rather through the music we listened to and the movies we saw. Our record collection contained the music of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Estelle Waters, Harry Belafonte, Leadbelly, Josh White, Miriam Makeba, Leon Bibb, Odetta, Paul Robeson.....I remember one of the first TV shows I ever saw was Leon Bibb performing and one of the first movies I saw in a theatre was Lilies Of The Field, I was eight. Were my mother alive today she would have shed a tear for Sidney Poitier's passing instead it is I left to shed those tears for a man who brought so much joy and wisdom into the world! Were it not for Sidney Poitier and others overcoming barriers I strongly doubt Barack Obama would have become America's forty-fourth President!
@@LarryWebbVideo Amen to that. I remember a passage of Guess who's coming to dinner where Sidney Poitier's character said to his father: you see yourself as a Black man but I see myself as a man
The greatest "Black" actor that ever lived? Black actor? Black? Describing him as an 'actor' -- just an 'actor' -- would've stood-out as respectful and honorable. Your remark is insulting and demeaning.
When l was a little boy, my mother would make me and my brothers watch his movies when they were on. She’d tell us: - “See there, now that’s how a black man is supposed to act! Like he got some sense! Y’all better remember this!” - l did in time! As a black child growing up in 1960’s Deep South Mississippi, l vividly recall my mother talking about “In The Heat Of The Night” and the scene in which Sidney slaps the bigoted plantation owner after getting slapped first. I didn’t understand it all until I’d personally gone through racial discrimination and fights and saw the movie as an adult. Then l called my mom saying: “Mama, I fully understand now.” She knew what l was talking about. Seeing a man with a 70 year career and NO MAJOR scandals in Hollywood in his life is unheard of! He demanded respect and got it! What a great black man!!!!! Rest well, Sidney….😔🕊
Totally agree. Last night I saw again "To sir, with love". There was something so warm about him ... A kind person, and great actor. With no scandals and a decent life. A GENTLEMAN! 🙏☺️
@@deedwayne2752 I believe that a number of celebrities are still alive. For example, the rap artist, Coolio, who was reported as dying aged 59. These artists are fleeing from Republican Tyranny. I believe they have gone into hiding.
That’s a beautiful moment right there if only Malcolm X and Martin Luther King could have seen that , I can imagine the smile on their faces . Bless them all RIP Mr Poitier .
A truly wonderful actor, activist, and Man, I had a massive crush on Him when I saw To Sir With Love back in the 60s I was 11 and thought he was the most beautiful and powerful man ever! I guess I was right! 🙏🌹👏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My hero, my father`s hero, and, if I have kids, he will be my kid`s hero... I am lucky. This man inspired my father to get out of poverty in Bahia, Brazil. Dear Sidney Poitier
I recall that my mother had a huge crush on Sidney Poitier. As a kid, I was too young to understand why, however, when I was old enough to watch his movies, I was rapt by his characters and performances. "In the Heat of the Night" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" made me grapple with race as a Black man in America. I credit Mr. Poitier for clarifying my perspective.
SUCH AN HONOR TO WITNESS! To be in the presence of the First Black President in the presence of an Actor extraordinaire, Sidney Poitier recognizing and presenting such an award of reward in receipt of such as honor - a perfect setting, action and accolades totally fitting is simply over the top for America!
The last US president who could piece two coherent sentences together. When I read this morning that Sir Sidney Poitier had passed on, I remembered this tearing speech. Sidney epitomized decency. I am grateful I named my daaughter after him. Rest in power Sidney.
I'll never forget his story with Leslie Stoll ( sp?) on either Sunday morning or 60 minutes when Sydney told his heartfelt story of the old Jewish waiter who taught Sydney how to read. Sydney's tearful recollection touched us all and don't know how Leslie was able to hold it all together ( although you could see her tearing up too).. I read later that after Sydney became successful he tried to find him but was unsuccessful which is such a shame and must of been one of the true regrets Sydney had throughout his life. I have no doubt that this old man became aware of Sydney's success as he grew as an actor and I hope he knew how much it meant to Sydney... Here we are in troubled times and every time a black life is jeopardized because of the ignorance of others or a Jewish synagogue being attacked and people killed I think back when a simple Jewish man helped a simple black man who then used his " power" and made us all see the giant in what Sydney Poitier became. Color and/or race seems so insignificant compared to what strengthens us through helping others.
on January 07, 2022 the great actor Sidney Poitier passed away✝In addition to his six daughters, Poitier has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. R.I.P.
Sir sidney poitier he was a night that opened doors for all no matter where you was from👌 a beautiful ❤ ♥ person .Great man ģood night SÌR SIDNEY POITIER.
Legends live on....grateful I knew about this great legend all the way in Cameroon Africa. He got his medals and flowers while here with us. Thanks for posting
I have alway,s Loved. Sidney Poitier. All my. Life he,s a great man. And some one you always looked up too. Knowing. What and how he grew up to bee lm in ore of him , The Man who you respected so much just a fantastic Man and a top person to listen too with much love lm very proud of you and all you do. ❤️❤️🇦🇺🇦🇺👍.
And I miss the guy awarding him as well. What has happened to this country that we are now drowning in hatred, lies, heroes derided, and bullies celebrated.
I remember To Sir With Love in the '60's, not only a great song and great singer but Sidney Poitier changed a lot of attitudes towards black people with that movie. It showed love and respect...two of the most powerful things there are.
A great light of our humanity has gone out, but his work will live on reminding us of his greatness as an actor, an artist, a humanitarian, a human being.
The man was the the epitome of excellence in entertainment and in life...one of our true legends of humanity. Sadly,there are not many left in this world. God gives us pieces of His finest treasures to comfort us just for a little while...but then He takes them back. All we can do is be glad and give thanks. R.I.P. Mr. Poitier
We are losing a lot of Hollywood Greats... I will alway remember you in "To Sir with Love" and of course all the other movies mentioned in this video! RIP... Sidney Poitier 😢 #ToSirWithLove ❤ #ClassAct
Tenho 49 anos de idade e estou muito emocionado em rever esse filme marcou demais minha vida e de muitas gerações. Sidney poitier que Deus o receba em seus braços e lhe conceda a paz.
he was a great actor and he always presented himself with class and dignity, and set a good example of how to be! He will be missed by all, thank you! Rip! Sir.
Today was a very nice day to cry especially when you look at memories of someone who impressed you in life but who we no longer have with us,😭 RIP my hero
I have got a movie DVD of Sidney Poitier with Rod Steiger in In The Heat Of The Night I am dedicating this movie DVD to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxxxx
had there not been a Sidney Poitier and a Lena Horne, or a Martin King and Shirley Chisholm, paving the way for this man...America could not have "dreamed" the possibility of his Presidency. Its that simple to me...this was a passing of the baton, in a VERY literal sense.
When I first saw a Sidney in a movie was on VHS. The movie was To Sir With Love and then I watched more and more. He will always be in my top 5 actors.
What a treasure this man is all of his roles are about teaching audiences how to live kinder lives. How we should love one another.....doing all this as a very gifted actor. His work on screen will outlast the rest of us. Thanks Sidney you have made me a better person.
I was in high school when this was released. Having grown up in the shadows of mindless racism, this film was joyful and liberating for so many of my white and black classmates. These days the right would call us "woke" or "brainwashed" and try to smother the teaching of truth. Thank you, Sir, for opening eyes and letting my generation shake off the shackles and find our voice in the rainbow.
