Sydney Poitier – a torchbearer for change

Sidney Poitier, the trailblazing actor and a respected humanitarian and diplomat, the first black man to win a best actor Oscar, has died at 94. Barack Obama said he “epitomised dignity and grace” and had “singular talent” and he opened doors for a generation of actors to follow like Denzel Washington. He combated prejudice and injustice but also fell foul of black activists. In his memoir he recalled that “There was more than a little dissatisfaction rising up