The Tribune

By CHESTER ROBARDS

Tribune Senior Reporter

crobards@tribunemedia.net

SIR Sidney Poitier said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the ceremony and festivities that were held for him as he received the honour of having the bridge to Paradise Island named after him.

Sir Sidney said he showed no disdain for those who protested his receiving the honour of having his name on the bridge, recognising that everyone has a “different point of view”.

“Certainly that is the prerogative of the people who carry such thoughts,” he said.

“We’re not always going to have the same point of view. We are going to have difficulties because we are essentially imperfect creatures.

“If nature had intended us to be perfect creatures from the jump, we would be in heaven and that would be pretty boring after a while.

“What I have is a something inside me, and I suspect I got it from my mother, I look at the situation and I try to see the truth of it in relation to me.”

The Oscar-winning actor said he was most excited to see the children at Friday’s bridge-naming ceremony sing, dance and reach out to him.

He said education would be the key to having youngsters “stand face-to-face” with the children of other countries of the world.

“I was overwhelmed... truly overwhelmed to see these children. That is the essence of our country” said Sir Sidney.

“To see these children and to listen to them sing and to wave and to reach out and shake my hand was really terrific. They are the ones who will put inspiration in their lives because if we open ourselves to them and reach out to them and nurture them, we will have a country that can ultimately stand face to face with pretty much any country in the world.

“But they have to have that education they have to have that nurturing they have to have that gumption to reach out and explore.”