A Patch of Blue (1965)

America has come a long way in regards to racism. Sidney Poitier and Elizabeth Hartman had an on screen kiss in A Patch of Blue (1966). Today you don't think twice about a black male kissing a white female, well any race or gender really. But, in the year 1965 racism was more than prevalent, and the civil rights movement was actively going. The kiss scene between the two of them were cut out of the movie when played in southern states. If this was currently happening today this would be just pathetic to hear that there is still so much ignorance in the world. The kiss took on history as it was the first on screen kiss between a black man and a white woman. Selina (Elizabeth Hartman) is a blind teenager who falls in love with a black man named Gordon (Sidney Poitier). This is a timeless movie, and definitely Hollywood stylized movie. I'm not saying it in a bad way, I absolutely loved the film and could watch it over and over again. The film is about racism rather than about a romance, but the racism is so subtle. Considering I'm not old enough to have lived through that time period I can only go off what I've seen through TV, and learned from school/family. Now knowing that, being black in that time period was very challenging, therefore I feel when the two of them are out together they should go through some type of challenge. I know there are some people out there who don't agree with the two of them being together. No one expressed their feelings towards them other than Selina's family. At the same time this film was filled with so much symbolism , deeper meanings, making this film so powerful.   Rather than spoiling I insist it must be watched.
One thing I took away from this film is being blind is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes we are quick to judge people without even knowing them. I don't just mean black or white, this goes for being disabled, and even gay. A lot of times people judge because they simply don't understand. Sometimes we need to live with our eyes closed.  Imagine the true beauty you can find in someone if you didn't base your judgments on outer appearance, but on the heart and soul of a human being.  Imagine how special the world could be if we did that; Selina said towards the end of the film she knew who Gordon really was.  She began to list the things she loved about him, and Gordon says " Beautiful? Most people would say the opposite". She then replies with "That's because they don't know you". I say we all could be a little more like Selina, she had it right.