To Sir Sidney Poitier, With Love

He did good work

Sidney Poitier died today at the age of 94, which was a long life, but not long enough for me.

He was one of my family’s favorites. We also came from the Caribbean to start where we landed and work our way up.

I learned something new about Poitier’s life from before the arc that leads from a tour in the army to an audience with the Queen.

A janitor becomes an actor

I had no idea he left school after only two years and ran away to New York City as a teen because he was in love with the movies. He was a porter, then a busboy.

He plucked chickens. He lived in lavatory booths, bus terminals, and on roofs overlooking Broadway.

I try and fail to imagine the grit that took not to give up and return to Miami or surrender his dream to New York.

After the Army, he worked as a dishwasher when he saw the ad that would change everything.

It’s from the American Negro Theater, and they seek actors.

He auditions but his accent disqualifies him. He listens to the radio to perfect his pronunciation.

Then Poitier auditions again. And again, they turn him down.