At first look, The Blind Side may seem like another condescending tale about the plight of an African-American and the intervention of a benevolent white person. Lest you allow familiar Hollywood commentaries on race and paternalism to avert your eyes from this film, I urge you to do a double take.

The Blind Side is based on Michael Lewis’s 2006 book which tells the true story of Michael Oher, current offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. We first meet “Big Mike” (Quinton Aaron) as an introverted, homeless teen with a dark past caught only in glimpses within rapid flashbacks. After a prep school football coach (Ray McKinnon) convinces his colleagues that admitting Michael is the “right thing” to do regardless of his athletic ability (yeah, right), the gentle giant assumes his place as the odd man out on an all-white campus. READ MORE