The Blind Side is an American biographical sports drama film written and directed by John Lee Hancock in 2009. The movie is based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The story is based on the real life of Michael Oher who is an NFL football player with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Story
It’s about a boy named Michael Oher, who lived in the slums as an abandoned child, and somehow ends up in a rich, private school with his caretaker’s son. Finding himself walking alone in the middle of the cold night looking for a place to stay at night, Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family takes Michael into her home and helps him progress. As Mike (Michael Oher) was good in sports and as per school requirements he has to improve his academic to get into a place in the school football team. Leigh and her family took him as their own son and supported and helped him to achieve his goals.
White and Black
“I look and I see white everywhere. White walls, white floors and a lot of white people. The teachers do not know, I have no idea of anything they are talking about. I do not want to listen to anyone especially the teachers. They are giving homeworks and expecting me to do the problems on my own. I have never done homework in my life. I go to the bathroom and look in the mirror and say “This is not Micheal Oher.”
“The Blind Side” looks like it is about football, but it’s about so much more than that, which I believe its message was well told. You all say you’re not racist, but you will always judge somebody by their looks and immediately come up with some sort of assumption about them: the girl with the bony face is probably really mean or the black guy is probably the leader of a gang. And, through this movie, we watch Michael Oher struggle with his blind side, trying to get himself to see past who he is on the outside. A black man doesn’t have to be scary. He can be as scary as a white man or an Asian man or a Hispanic man. White and black, it doesn’t matter. It really shouldn’t matter, and in the sense of racism and the attempt to blend in, “The Blind Side” truly tests the audience’s sense of humanity.
True Courage
So self-explanatory. So true. I have mad, mad respect for Mrs. Touhy, because I don’t know anyone who would have the guts to allow a complete stranger not only enter their home, but raise him. This has nothing to do with him being black, like Mrs. Touhy said. Throughout the movie, you will watch Mrs. Touhy continuously test her own humanity, trying to figure out why did she let this complete stranger into her home? Why did she not even hesitate to offer him a high-class education and free food on the table?
Not only did Mrs. Touhy express the courage to take Michael in, but also her entire family. SJ, her son, was about ten years younger than Michael and ten times smaller than him, but he wasn’t scared to be the first one to shake his hand. Collins, her daughter, was constantly mocked for having a “big black boy” living under the same roof as her, but she chose to be with him in public whenever he was alone. Mr. Touhy, as well, showed concern and interest in taking care of Michael’s life and helping him strive for his interests, along with his wife.
And as Mrs. Touhy and her family tested their own humanity, I found myself doing the same. I know this movie is from 2010 (oh no! it’s old), I still await the film that could match its straight-up integrity.
Life Lessons
1. Expect the unexpected.
You never truly know when something or someone is going to come into your life to change it forever. Keep an open mind when these situations present themselves.
Trust your instincts: When your gut is telling you to do something, you should trust yourself and just do it.
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2. Respect yourself enough to be honest
No matter what situation you may be in, it really is just that: a situation. It’s not who you are as a person and how you should define yourself, which is something we often do to ourselves. But why do that? We should know our worth and stand up for it like Michael did when he wanted to let go of a name he hadn’t chosen.
3. Having fun is a birthright
It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through or even if you know where you’re going; you are SUPPOSED to have fun. Whether it’s rapping in the car, kicking butt on the field, watching a movie, or anything else — just do it.
4. Practice compassion and open-mindedness
It’s one thing to have an open mind and think about helping others, but how often are we able to put it into practice?
5. When the worst thing we think that can happen does happen, it’s for the best
After getting into a car accident while driving with S.J., the youngest member of the Tuohy household, Michael feels ashamed and guilty. But when Leigh Anne finds out that he stopped the airbag that would have probably killed S.J. with his hand, it leads to something that gives him a new chance at life.
6. Love gives you strength to stand up for those you care about
The funny thing about any type of love is that when you’re in it, it seems as if you’re also given the strength to stand up for and protect that love; and it doesn’t matter who is on the other side.
Show your love: Family, friends, or whomever else, show them that you care.
7. Sometimes, the people you thought you were helping end up helping you
Sometimes, we go through life thinking we’re helping someone with their struggles; but it’s only until later we realize that we were being helped by them. It could be their attitude, their sense of self, or their confidence, but we know that they have inspired us more than we could have ever inspired them.
8. Don’t forget to realize the moments in which you ARE living your dream
At every point in our life we have dreams for our future, but sometimes we forget that the life we have now is the one we had dreamt of having before. Don’t forget to celebrate those amazing moments.
9. Don’t let others’ opinions bring you down.
You are the only person in control of your happiness. Others shouldn’t control you with their petty thoughts. Focus on your goals and find the like in everyone.
10. A small gesture goes a long way.
Simple Acts speak the Loudest. The little things don’t go unnoticed, and I mean what goes around comes around.
Mind your manners: Because the way you present yourself says a lot about who you are as a person.
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