To Sidney, with Love
Oprah's Book Club | January 01, 2006
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My New Discovery Posted by Heidi I grew up in the 1950s in a town that did not allow African-Americans to live there. My only experience was when the "colored boys" went to the city swimming pool. They were kicked out and the pool was drained and Cloroxed for a week. It was when I was a new, young nurse in Vietnam and sat in the tiny theater with folding chairs that I saw To Sir, with Love. It was my first experience of seeing an African-American as a whole, magnificent human being. I am deeply grateful for that life-changing experience, because I went on to take care of many soldiers and was able to make no race distinctions. Sidney Poitier made me a better nurse and far better person. His choice to play roles that showed his full measure as a man was his teaching opportunity. |
