E R Braithwaite’s soul stirring book ‘To Sir With Love’ published in 1959, tells the riveting story of a young black teacher who struggles to win over the trust and love of a bunch of wayward and near delinquent students in a largely white secondary school in one of London’s poorest neighborhoods. Interestingly the novel is based on the true story of Braithwaite & deals with social & racial issues. Sometimes the film (made in 1967) on the story garners more interest and acclaim and I confess I read the book after watching the film ‘To Sir With Love’ which remained etched in my mind. Later, many of us used this ‘title’ on gifts to those we respected- teachers, seniors and bosses !
As most of the old-timers would recall, the protagonist is a teacher in a London High School full of white students who are brats and brash drop-outs, sneering with racial superiority at the new black teacher who’s committed to reform them with skills at his command. One of the first precepts of learning is to respect the teacher as someone who comes armed with knowledge that one doesn’t possess. In this case, not only did this group of surly, wayward students have any intention of gaining anything but treated their black teacher with deep seated prejudice – did his intellect make him superior ?
The story evolves with many riveting confrontations and persuasive bouts with the class not only on academic matters but on issues of cleanliness, hygiene, good manners and self-discipline the teacher tries to inculcate in them to be upstanding men and women. There’s initial resistance but then a slow but grudging admiration starting with a few as it dawns on the bitterness of ‘broken homes’ that life can have a brighter and better side. Education isn’t only about learning numbers & grammar but about living decently and with pride. Braithwaite’s moving tale puts forth lessons & rises above colour and creed.
True to character, Sidney Poiter, the talented American actor played the unforgettable role with great passion. The film got rave reviews for its universal appeal & I remember that when I first saw the film, I was simply bowled over by Poiter’s stirring performance, a black actor who had become an icon for his portrayal of classy, dignified heroes in amazing, award winning films like “In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ apart from ‘Lilies in the Field’ for which he received the Oscar ! One of my more erudite Aunts, who was also a movie-buff, asked us to correctly pronounce the name. ‘Poati’ (somewhat French?), not Poiter, she told us knowingly !
Despite all its progress and fight for human rights and against racism, US continues to have overt and covert cases of racial prejudice. The book & film remains a watershed !
Working on Living 