A Biography of Sidney Poitier

In 1967, a press conference with Sidney Poitier, at that time one of the most successful and popular American actors and certainly the most famous African-American actor, turned from his gentle opusy employments on screen and stage and became something else integrally.Due to a rash of racial riots across the acres at that time, Poitier was asked pointed questions concerning whether or not he was in favor of the racial riots, his theories on segregation, and other racially oriented topics (Goudsouzian).It was at that point that something happened which changed the course of Poitiers life as well as the role of African-Americans everywhere- rather than avoid the question, turn the focus back to his fame or storm off in a rage, Poitier came to the realization that it was impossible for him to separate his status as an entertainment icon from his obligation to use his fame to get along the cause of minority rights in America. Since then, Poitier has done just that.This research will discuss Aram Goudsouzians frigid 2004 biography of Sidney Poitier, not only as a review of this book, but also in an ride to try to better understand how and why Poitier has become one of the most influential African Americans since the check of Civil War.Authors PurposeWhen gaining a better understanding of why Goudsouzian chose Poitier as the study of his book, one not only gains an understanding of the authors purpose in writing the book, but also a grasp of the major social and historical issues that are tackled through a book which is biographical at its core, but becomes much more expansive as it unfolds.First, one must realize that Goudsouzian is not a biographer by nature, but in fact is a history writer, which is why Poitier was chosen as the subject of the book.By choosing a pivotal historic African-American who bridges the gap between the faade of Hollywood and the real world of the urban streets of the nation, Goudsouzian has been able to tell not only the story of the struggles of an ambitious African-American man coming of age in the racially charged 1950s and 1960s, but also of a man who parlayed his fame not into a mere vehicle for his own enrichment, but to try to aid and support his entire race.Goudsouzians Central ThemeEarlier, the point was made that Goudsouzians book is much more than biography or history, but is rather a powerful combination of the two. Looking beyond this assertion, it is also interesting to look the central theme of the book, which can fairly be identified in one word-perseverance.For Poitier, perseverance has meant the continuous jumping of hurdles, placed in front of him by a society which still wrestles with the issue of equating for African-Americans, even decades after the strife which advanced African-Americans significantly, and almost a century and a half after a bloody Civil War which settled the issue of African-American freedom once and for all. For African-Americans in general, it would seem that Gou dsouzian paints perseverance as a struggle to gain equal footing with the mainstream of America.This being said, however, a fair critique of Goudsouzians approach is in order. It would seem that the author is too quick to of all time portray Poitier, and African-Americans as perpetual underdogs who never gain any significant ground.However, in truth, much fall out has been made in cause of racial equality, while keeping in mind of course that there is much progress yet to come. Goudsouzian could have presented a bit more of a balance in his contrast.