1
Kierra Grant
Ms. Patroni
ENG-111-5552
15 December 2014
The Blind Side
The Blind Side is a 2009 Southern movie, directed and produced by John Lee Hancock.
This movie is based on a true story of Michael Ohers journey to fame. Michael was an AfricanAmerican teenager who was born to a drug-addicted mother, and an absent father, all leaving
him to become a ward of the state; living in several foster homes and even becoming homeless.
Michaels life would take a major turn when he was found walking to his high schools
gymnasium one cold winter night; by who would later become his adoptive parents. Michaels
adoptive family consisted of Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, Sean Tuohy Sr.,
played by Tim McGraw, Sister Collins, played by Lily Jane Collins and baby brother SJ played
by Jae Head. Michaels story began with him living in Hurt Village found in Memphis,
Tennessee. He enrolled into Wingate Christian School. His size and athleticism caught Coach
Cottons eye and with the help of who would soon become his Coach, he was accepted into the
school program; despite his 0.6 grade point average.
Michael, SJ, and Collins all became very close. Prior to the finalization of the adoption,
SJ would claim Big Mike as his brother. Wherever Michael went SJ would follow behind.
Collins loved Michael regardless of the ignorant racial comments being made by others in the
community. It took Leigh Anne and Michael time to develop a trusting relationship due to
2
abandonment issues that Michael experienced growing up. One morning Leigh Anne decided to
take Michael shopping, on the way to the clothing store Michael was not too comfortable
opening up to her. She decided to pull over and question Michael about what it is that she should
know about him. Michael then proceeded to say that he does not enjoy being called Big Mike;
she instantly called him Michael from that point on. They then arrived at the clothing store Big
& Tall and Leigh Anne did not feel too safe, she asked Michael if he would protect her; he
answered I got you. From that moment, they became very close. With Michaels grade point
average and grades being so low, he was introduced to Miss Sue; who he also became very close
to. It was Miss Sue, Coach Cotton, as well as his familys intentions to get Michaels grades
where they needed to be; so he would be eligible to play football.
When being invited into the Tuohys home, Michael felt that he had finally found home.
After staying there for a few days, Leigh Anne asked Michael if he wanted to live with them and
he answered I dont wanna stay any place else. Living there made him feel comfortable and
loved. Time continued to pass and Leigh Anne and Sean had been trying to arrange becoming
Michaels legal guardians. When asking Michael if he wanted to become a part of the family he
answered I thought I already was. After that conversation took place, Michael began to call
Leigh Anne Mama. Being that he was now officially apart of the family, everyone began to
make personal changes such as; Collins staying home to spend time with the family, instead of
going over her boyfriends. The entire Tuohy family felt complete, all because of Michael being
an addition to it.
However, not too many individuals were pleased with Leigh Annes decision on adopting
Michael; simply because of his race. One morning the Tuohy family had their annual Christmas
pictures taken for their Christmas cards to family and friends. Weeks passed and they received a
3
phone call from their cousin Bobby. He says listen Ive had about 5 cold ones, so Im just gonna
go ahead and ask yall know its a colored boy in your Christmas card? Later that evening
Leigh Anne goes out to lunch with her friends. The Christmas card was brought up while eating
and Leigh Anne had this look of disgust on her face, because she knew where the conversation
was going. Further into the conversation one of her friends says Leigh Anne is this some sort of
white guilt thing? The Tuohys were not doing what they did for Michael because of guilt; it was
all out of love and having a heart for a young African-American male who simply had no one.
Her friends did not seem to understand that, they still continued criticizing their doing. Michael
was changing their lives, opening up their eyes to a lot of things that they did not recognize until
he came around. Another awful comment was made by one of her friends, concerning Leigh
Annes daughter Collinss safety with Michael being in their household. Her friend says hes a
boy, a large, black boy. After that comment was made Leigh Anne left lunch with such disgust
on her face. Trying to convince everyone how great of a child Michael was; was not enough for
her prejudice friends and family.
Before being adopted, Michael was a social outcast. In result of him being in and out of
foster homes and not having any support, it caused him to stay to himself. Even with him living
in Hurt Village, he did not hang around troubled individuals. Drugs and violence were not a part
of his lifestyle; he enjoyed sports and entertaining children. When first attending Wingate
Christian School, Michael did not have any friends. All of the Caucasian students, who attended
gave him such an intimidating stare; which made him feel as if he did not belong there. He wrote
a letter about his experience so far saying 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 me
4
homework and expecting me to do problems on my own. I have never done homework in my
life. I go to the bathroom, look in the mirror and say, This is not Michael Oher. It was clear
that Michael did not feel welcomed. He would walk around the playground alone, trying to greet
others; until they would laugh and run away from him.
Michaels senior year of high school came to an end and he had several scholarship offers
from numerous Universities. To be eligible to play college football at a Division One University
he needed to have a 2.5 GPA, and with the help of Miss Sue and his school teachers he
completed high school with a final 2.52 GPA. Michael committed to The University of
Mississippi, where his mother, father, and tutor attended. It was in Michaels spirit to attend the
same college as his family. After playing for Ole Miss, he was drafted to play for the Baltimore
Ravens. With the help of his loved ones, Michael became very successful in life, and never failed
to acknowledge how he made it.
5
Works Cited
1.
Hancock, John Lee. The Blind Side. Dir. John Lee Hancock. 20. Nov. 2009.
Television.
