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\n\;In lat e 1967 and early 1968\, Sidney Poitier became America&rsquo\;s most popula r movie star. Three of his films &ndash\; "To Sir\, With Love\," "In the H eat of the Night\," and "Guess Who&rsquo\;s Coming to Dinner" &ndash\; all soared to the top of the box office charts. The adoration reflected the w ay that Poitier soothed the nation&rsquo\;s racial wounds. In a time of ur ban riots and Black Power\, he represented a liberal ideal as a Black man of restraint\, intelligence\, and dignity. As he hit this career apex\, ho wever\, Poitier was also subject to intense scorn. Critics called him a pa ssive\, too-perfect martyr whose roles made white people feel good\, but d id nothing for Black progress. Poitier was at a crossroads.
\nThis l ecture will examine the arc of Poitier&rsquo\;s career\, the challenges th at he faced\, the way that he became an icon of the civil rights movement\ , and the political backlash that he endured.
\n\;Presenter: Ar am Goudsouzian is the Bizot Professor of History at the University of Memp his. He is the author of five books\, including "Sidney Poiter: Man\, Acto r\, Icon."
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