Blind Side Paternalism
Collin Hill
English Composition I
November, 13 2014
The Blind Side Sport movies have a long, troubled history of well-meaning white paternalism, with poor black athletes finding success through white charity. But The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis’ non-fiction book is one of the best. As Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, is struggling with everything in his life, he gets taken in by the Tuohys, a loving, Christian family. The Blind Side is a sports movie that’s not really even about sports. It’s a football movie based on the story of a real-life (and really good) football player that often avoids football altogether. Only one game is singled out for special attention—Michael’s first for Wingate. Sure, they win Tennessee’s private school state championship. Sure, Michael’s shown working feverishly to get into shape and learn the game, but it had to have something to do with football. …show more content…
Weighing more than the average person and towering over his classmates, Michael was recruited to the school for his athletic promise.
But most of Wingate’s students are white, rich, and really smart. “Big Mike” as he was called, came from Memphis’ projects; he has no real home. He carries his extra clothes with him, mostly just a spare shirt, in a plastic bag, and he washed all his clothes in the sink at the local laundromat. He would’ve disappeared that cold November night if he could have as he walked, shivering, along the side of the road. But instead, he was spotted by Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family, and before Michael knew it, all 300-plus pounds of him was ushered into the backseat and whisked away to the Tuohy mansion. Leigh Anne threw some sheets on the couch, bid Michael a cordial goodnight and walked
upstairs. Surrounded by poverty and thuggery through much of his childhood, Michael could’ve been just a statistic—a life wasted on the mean city streets—had it not been for his gentle disposition. When he was a baby, his mother told him to shut his eyes when anything bad was going on. Before he was allowed to open them, she’d tell him, "The past is gone, the world is a good place, it’s all going to be okay." He held firm to this little fairy tale, shutting his eyes completely to his painful past and allowing himself to accept both the present and future with a certain level of serenity. Is that kind of attitude more accurately defined as denial? Perhaps, but the result is him escaping the anger and bitterness that could’ve consumed him. It sidelines all of those things to instead focus on the massive impact people can have in other people’s lives. It’s not a pristine portrayal, but I was moved by the story and walked out of the theater smiling. Issues of class, race, and family are all fully discussed in this movie, and I could not have asked for anything better.
English Composition I
November, 13 2014
The Blind Side Sport movies have a long, troubled history of well-meaning white paternalism, with poor black athletes finding success through white charity. But The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis’ non-fiction book is one of the best. As Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, is struggling with everything in his life, he gets taken in by the Tuohys, a loving, Christian family. The Blind Side is a sports movie that’s not really even about sports. It’s a football movie based on the story of a real-life (and really good) football player that often avoids football altogether. Only one game is singled out for special attention—Michael’s first for Wingate. Sure, they win Tennessee’s private school state championship. Sure, Michael’s shown working feverishly to get into shape and learn the game, but it had to have something to do with football. …show more content…
Weighing more than the average person and towering over his classmates, Michael was recruited to the school for his athletic promise.
But most of Wingate’s students are white, rich, and really smart. “Big Mike” as he was called, came from Memphis’ projects; he has no real home. He carries his extra clothes with him, mostly just a spare shirt, in a plastic bag, and he washed all his clothes in the sink at the local laundromat. He would’ve disappeared that cold November night if he could have as he walked, shivering, along the side of the road. But instead, he was spotted by Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family, and before Michael knew it, all 300-plus pounds of him was ushered into the backseat and whisked away to the Tuohy mansion. Leigh Anne threw some sheets on the couch, bid Michael a cordial goodnight and walked
upstairs. Surrounded by poverty and thuggery through much of his childhood, Michael could’ve been just a statistic—a life wasted on the mean city streets—had it not been for his gentle disposition. When he was a baby, his mother told him to shut his eyes when anything bad was going on. Before he was allowed to open them, she’d tell him, "The past is gone, the world is a good place, it’s all going to be okay." He held firm to this little fairy tale, shutting his eyes completely to his painful past and allowing himself to accept both the present and future with a certain level of serenity. Is that kind of attitude more accurately defined as denial? Perhaps, but the result is him escaping the anger and bitterness that could’ve consumed him. It sidelines all of those things to instead focus on the massive impact people can have in other people’s lives. It’s not a pristine portrayal, but I was moved by the story and walked out of the theater smiling. Issues of class, race, and family are all fully discussed in this movie, and I could not have asked for anything better.