The Disintegration of the Black Family Blindsided Michael Oher
Were the Tuohys White Saviors?
I remember watching the movie The Blind Side and was moved by the touching story of a wealthy, white couple taking in a troubled black boy.
It was one of those feel good stories that highlights the beauty of humanity.
Now, I was waiting for a scene that spoke to this being a result of their strong faith in God, but I don’t remember seeing that in the movie.
Notwithstanding, it was still a good story for a country that seems determined to meditate over the fissures of race which have divided everyone for so long.
Fast forward to today. Michael Oher, the main protagonist in the movie, is now petitioning the court for removal from the conservatorship with the Tuohys.
Oher, for his part, says that he was under the assumption that he was adopted. Yet, he failed to mention this in his first book.
Nonetheless, this is a matter of “he said, they said”. Honestly, the truth is somewhere in the middle.
Yet, what a lot of people are failing to realize or touch on is the situation that brought Michael Oher to the doorstep of the Tuohys in the first place.
Oher’s father abandoned him. His mother was strung out on crack and other drugs, therefore she could not take care of him.
Oher was practically raising himself.
It was the lack of a Biblical Family structure that sacked the future of Michael Oher.
The Tuohys, right or wrong, allowed Michael the opportunity to fulfill the potential inside of him.
Studies show that when children are reared in a home with two biological (male and female), engaged parents, the children have a higher percentage chance of success.
This does not guarantee success. Each individual is responsible for the choices they make.
However, being in a home that has Biblical Order provides the atmosphere for a child to grow into the person God has designed him or her to be.
In the black community especially, the vast majority of young people do not have the atmosphere conductive for success.
They are more likely to end up dead or in prison rather than make it to the NFL, let alone college.
Many a black boy would love to have the opportunity afforded to them that befitted Michael Oher. They would love to leave the dysfunction in their homes for peace and order.
Were the Tuohys operating under a White Savior Complex?
Did they see dollar signs when they chose to take Michael Oher into their home?
We don’t know the answer to those questions. Only God knows the true intentions of their hearts towards Michael Oher.
One thing we do know, is that Oher was given access to a world that he would not have otherwise been a part of because of the influence of the Tuohys.
On the other hand, one could argue that Oher took advantage of the opportunity because of the intelligence and hard work he possessed.
Both of those things could be true.
As the product of a broken home, I know the temptations that are out there for boys raised without a father.
The pitfalls are too numerous.
Personally, I’m thankful that I had a mother who prayed for me and a Heavenly Father who always protects my Blind Side.