One of the biggest things that I remember learning about Sidney Portier was the fact that despite the circumstances for black people in society period (let alone in the entertainment field), Mr. Portier is a man who set a STANDARD for himself and for his identity as an actor.
He turned down a role as Othello in 1966 because of his refusal to reinforce negative stereotypes about Blacks. He held a strict conviction to only act in roles that he felt respected. Despite the criticism of not playing different types of characters, he felt more of an obligation to show the world that Blacks were more than just the Minstrel style characters, waiters, and maids they were always forced to play back then.
His presence at the Oscars with Angelina Jolie truly reminded me of the standards that are missing from much of our world in the Urban community.
To remember to stand for something meaningful that will live beyond your own years and set a true lesson for the decades to come.
How inspiring is it to see this man who has a SIXTY YEAR HISTORY in film as not just an actor, but a director too and to know that even in the face of adversity, he DEALT WITH IT and never drifted from what he felt in his heart was right for him.
In 2014, we need to take a page. We really need to read the whole book. Like, read it 80 times and take a few pop quizzes.
I salute him. I respect him. I truly am a fan of Mr. Portier.
