Sidney Poitier

A man must be a man. A man must be a man to himself, and a man to his family, and a man to his community. And a man must be a man to his God.

I am a man, an American, a Negro, a Bahamian, a human being, a child of God.

I made a commitment to myself to be the best I could be, and to never settle for less.

I was a kid from the Bahamas who didn't know anything about anything, and I was thrown into this world of Hollywood.

I had to be a trailblazer. I had to be a role model. I had to be a symbol.

I was not a black actor. I was an actor who happened to be black.

The industry was not ready for a black leading man. I had to create that space.

I never saw myself as a victim. I saw myself as a survivor.

I believe that we are all connected, and that we all have a responsibility to each other.

I believe in the power of love, and the power of forgiveness.

I believe in the power of education, and the power of knowledge.

I believe in the power of art, and the power of storytelling.

I believe in the power of dreams, and the power of imagination.

I believe in the power of hope, and the power of faith.

I believe in the power of courage, and the power of resilience.

I believe in the power of truth, and the power of justice.

I believe in the power of freedom, and the power of equality.

I believe in the power of peace, and the power of understanding.

I believe in the power of joy, and the power of laughter.

I believe in the power of life, and the power of living.