The Blind side is a 2009 biographical film following the life of African American Michael oher mostly known as 'big mike' during the film and his poor upbringing as we see the effects of being took away from his mother at age 7 due to drug addiction and the aftermath of losing his father making him now homeless. Based on a true story, we see the impact of the Tuohy family and their drive to help those less privileged. the family, who live in a predominantly white area sees youngest son S.J develop a friendship with big mike causing for the mother of the family leigh Anne to take notice and concern for Michael's wellbeing, this ultimately being unusual for families of a particularly high social status though Leighanne is shown to be strong minded didn't let any judgment get in the way.
Paul Gilroy would say that we still see ethnic minority groups being dehumanised across the media, however this film portrays both sides of this. for example, Leigh Anne, the mother is empathetic with what Michael has experienced and does not judge him or let negative stereotypes (like Michael being a 'thug' which we see people implying throughout the film) come between that. offering him a place to stay, we see these stereotypes breaking down as she then realises the brutality of his upbringing thanks to her daughter. Gilroy would believe people like mike are seen as 'other' which is certainly the case in the beginning as we know his desire in life was to pursue sports which was pushed by the family who believed in him yet, by her friends the mother's intentions are questioned being asked if its 'white guilt' whilst she sticks to her beliefs asking for respect for her decisions. equally we see mike being subjected to these ethnic stereotypes without people knowing the deeper issues further backing Gilroy's theory of the media seeing ethnic minority groups as different.
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