I finally got to watch The Blind Side for the first time last night. I liked the movie. But I think I liked it for very different reasons. I am sure most people were inspired by the success of a young, homeless kid who ultimately played pro football. And that is an inspiring story! But there was another theme in the movie that stood out to me.
We live in a very segregated world. We don’t like to admit it, but it is true. There is the world of privilege. And that little society is often very white. There is a so called Christian sub-culture within that world of privilege. I am not sure there is anything Christian about it, but it has the outward appearance of piety. Privileged white people flock to neighborhoods far away Da Hood and close their doors each night to the suffering that is going on around them a few miles away.
The movie portrayed another world that is not always so white. It is a world that tends to be more multi-cultural and takes in people of several races. It is the world of the government housing projects in large cities. It is the neighborhoods comprised of sub-standard and dilapidated mobile homes. Illegal drug use is obvious and rampant. Father’s Day in this world can be equated with mass confusion. Gangs have taken the place of the nuclear family.
I liked the movie. I liked it because one strong willed woman was willing to step out of her world and enter another culture. She was willing to be criticized by her racist friends. I liked it because it was one of those rare occasions when the world of privilege and the world of poverty came together. I liked it because one lady did not let race, socioeconomic status, or anything else hinder her from helping a kid in genuine need. I liked it because she practiced piety instead of simply putting on a façade of holiness behind the wall of privilege that keeps those whom Jesus would serve out.
The movie communicated a principle about blind sides in football. But it is also made me realize that I have a blind side that has more severe consequences. I find myself blinded to those around me who have not had all of the breaks I have had in life. Big Mike has amazing protective instincts. I think I could stand to learn a few things from him regarding those living around me who have all kinds of needs. I am watching my own blind side today.