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I knew what it was to be uncomfortable in a movie theater watching unfolding on the screen images of myself - not me, but black people - that were uncomfortable.
Sidney Poitier
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the discomfort of seeing one's identity represented negatively in media.

Sidney Poitier expresses a profound sense of discomfort and disconnection when he watches portrayals of black people in films that do not resonate positively with his own identity. This highlights the broader issue of representation in media and the impact it has on individuals and communities, where negative or stereotypical images can lead to a sense of alienation and unease.

Themes

RepresentationMediaIdentityDiscomfortRaceFilm

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about the importance of accurate representation in media.

More from Sidney Poitier

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I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people.
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