April 13, 1964 –
Sidney Poitier became the first African-American male to win the Best Actor Academy Award for the 1963 film Lilies of the Field, on this date.
However, whatever satisfaction Poitier felt winning this award was undercut by his concern that he won not because Hollywood had shown enlightened thinking, but rather he was being treated as Hollywood’s token African-American. Furthermore, Poitier was concerned that he would not be able to ask for special consideration given his success since he would be accused of being ungrateful for being so honored along with similar racist condescensions, and indeed Poitier did not work for some time after winning the award.
The Haus of Dcaligari 