Research Paper On The Blind Side

For this assignment, I opted to watch The Blind Side. I chose this film for several reasons. The first reason is that as I already owned this movie, it was the most convenient option. Secondly, I am a big fan of Sandra Bullock; I have been for many years. Thirdly, it is a “feel-good” movie; it leaves me a little happier each time I watch it.

The Blind Side is about an African-American 17-year-old named Michael, “Big Mike”, Oher. Michael is predominantly identified by his size, hence the nickname, but he is also a sensitive young man. Growing up in the foster care system, he runs away each time he is placed in a new home. Michael has been sleeping on his friend’s couch until his parents decide it is time for him to go somewhere else. Not feeling comfortable with the idea of kicking Michael out onto the streets, his friend’s father goes to a Christian school on the other side of town and asks for him to be admitted by emphasizing Michael’s athletic ability. Admitted to the school, despite his low academic performance, with nowhere to go after the bell rings, Michael is seen by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy walking in the rain one night. The Tuohys are a wealthy Caucasian family. The Tuohy’s one night invitation eventually morphs into the Tuohy’s

The scene in which we see Michael’s removal breaks my heart every single time. This was the first time I had watched this film since deciding to pursue a career in social work, so I viewed this scene from a different perspective. This time, I pictured myself as the social worker pulling the child away from his mom. The thought of physically removing a child from the arms of their parents makes me cringe and want to cry. I am sure that it will happen eventually during my time working in child welfare, but it is the part that makes me most apprehensive about entering the