Last night on Saturday Night Live, Cecily Strong and Sasheer Zamata paid tribute to Barack Obama with a rendition of "To Sir, with Love" from the movie of the same title. It was very sweet and a touching tribute. Seeing it reminded me that I love that movie and haven't seen it in years. It's one of those movies that I'd stop and watch any time I came across it. It stars Sidney Poitier as a teacher who winds up teaching a class full of "hooligans." He not only teaches them their school work, but he also teaches them manners, self worth, and respect--for themselves and for each other. Sidney Poitier's so great, and this movie just brings me joy.
I just had a thought about it--so often these days, there's talk of all the movies with the "white savior" who goes in to a situation and saves all people of color. To Sir, with Love is the opposite--it's a distinguished black man who saves the white children. And this movie is from 1967! Imagine that!
So, To Sir, with Love is on my to-do list for this weekend. In the meantime, here's Lulu singing the title song.
