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Thaddeus Russell is the author of the forthcoming A Renegade History of the United States (Free Press/Simon & Schuster, 2010). He teaches history and cultural studies at Occidental College and has taught at Columbia University, Barnard College, Eugene Lang College, and the New School for Social Research.
The African-American teen character in the hit movie The Blind Side is loyal, polite, sexless, and surrounded by white people who love him—it's a miracle of the Obama age.
As portrayed in The Blind Side, the story of a homeless black teenager taken in by a wealthy white family and who later became an NFL star, Michael Oher is gentle, hard-working, self-sacrificing, and soft-spoken.
Though raised in Memphis housing projects, he uses no slang and dislikes the taste of malt liquor. Instead of Ecko and Sean John, he wears Charlie Brown-style polo shirts. His table manners are impeccable. He exhibits virtually no sexual desire. He is never angry and shuns violence except when necessary to protect the white family that adopted him or the white quarterback he was taught to think of as his brother.
Though he appears to be made of (large amounts) of flesh and blood, Michael Oher performs miracles for white people.
In other words, Michael Oher is the perfect black man.
While Precious is garnering a great deal of attention from critics and intellectuals for its unapologetic portrayal of blacks who are cruel, violent, and self-destructive, The Blind Side is far more popular with audiences. With virtually no preceding buzz or publicity, it nearly beat the massively hyped New Moon at the box office last weekend. And Sandra Bullock’s performance as Michael’s adoptive mother has made her an early contender for Best Actress.
• Kim Masters: Sandra Bullock’s $200 Million Year The success of The Blind Side might be attributed to the fact that it is the most recent example of what some film historians have labeled the "black saint" or, less politely, "magic negro" genre, in which a virtuous black character saves the white protagonist. The term was coined to describe a series of movies in the 1950s—most notably No Way Out, Blackboard Jungle, Edge of the City, and The Defiant Ones—that feature Sidney Poitier as an upright black man who sacrifices himself, often with his life, for whites. These movies were so successful that they not only established Poitier as the first “serious” black movie star, but also changed the way Hollywood thought about race.
According to Donald Bogle’s history of African Americans in cinema, Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Bucks, Poitier was "the model integrationist hero." For white audiences, he was "a black man who had met their standards." His characters "spoke proper English, dressed conservatively," were "amenable and pliable," and "non-funky, almost sexless and sterile." They were "the perfect dream for white liberals anxious to have a colored man in for lunch or dinner."
The "black saint" genre was established by white filmmakers—mostly Jewish and left-wing—who sought to overthrow the dominant Hollywood image of blacks as either sexual predators or hapless buffoons. But their project began when the civil-rights movement had not yet become a national phenomenon and black leaders like Martin Luther King were still largely unknown among whites outside the South. So the creators of the genre were informed largely by the ideas of white liberals like Eleanor Roosevelt and the Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal, who wanted to create a new image of African Americans as being "just like us."
Myrdal’s bestselling 1944 book, An American Dilemma, which essentially established white racial liberalism and the new rules of race for Hollywood, instructed African Americans to overcome their cultural "pathologies" and “become assimilated into American culture.” To do this, they had to acquire “the traits held in esteem by the dominant white Americans.” Eleanor Roosevelt issued similar directions in several influential articles and speeches. In a famous 1953 Ebony magazine cover story titled “Some of My Best Friends Are Negro,” Roosevelt praised her black friends for their “Christianity and intelligence,” their ability to “go through so many hardships and emerge so free of bitterness,” and their “serene, charming" manner.
The theme of honorable black men saving white people dominated Hollywood "race" movies into the 1960s and helped many whites become accustomed to the idea of integration. But with the advent of the "blaxploitation" films of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the black saint was replaced by a new generation of "bad" black heroes who were more likely to shoot The Man than save him.
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Thaddeus Russell is the author of the forthcoming A Renegade History of the United States (Free Press/Simon & Schuster, 2010). He teaches history and cultural studies at Occidental College and has taught at Columbia University, Barnard College, Eugene Lang College, and the New School for Social Research.
kscr14
I do not like this article one bit.
hithere3
I do!
Sajwert
So do I, and the greatest 'magic negro' was Sidney Poitier's character in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" with K Hepburn.
His character should have been wearing a halo he was so perfect. It pleased every white person I knew that there were "negroes out there that could be just like us" as one idiot friend of mine said.
ChanRobt
Uh, kscr14, it is customary here to articulate why you hold a given opinion.
DeaconDrJones
Why?
Furthermore,
So?
johnwr3
It's a true story. Not every young black man has to be Kanya West...thank God.
winkingchef
Because it insists on a particular stereotype of poor black Americans, I find this review far more racist than the movie. I think this is what kscr14 was trying to say.
Chicago48
I don't like the article either because ? The movie is based on a real life person...so the writer is saying that Mike Oher is a fake? That he doesn't exist? That he couldn't be this gratuitous, kind, thoughtful...that he couldn't be a good person? This is rubbish.
Soonchurcher
Why? Because it's true?
ohsure
The flip side to the "black saint" meme is the "white savior" meme which is equally or perhaps more pathetic and inaccurate. These "white savior" PC films are pushed by Mike Barber, white liberals and conservatives alike. While we are questioning why Hollywood chooses extreme stereotypes of blacks in films such as "Precious" or the "Blind Side", we might want to question why whites flock to white savior films like "Invictus", "The Blind Side, and "Gran Torino".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-barber/white-mans-burden-redux-t_b_37 8644.html?show_comment_id=35639401#comment_35639401
I hope TDB will examine the "white savior" archetype.
The Huffington Post has an excellent article about it here:
GateKeeper
..if I see one more movie that is as pathetic..I will scream bloody %^&#..
..the white female savior caring for extreme stereotypes images of what they consider are "colored folk"..is SOOOO out of touch.. and does not speak to modern day african americans ..so this film is contrary and out of touch.. this is why african american actors and actress' are opting to create their OWN media/fim production companies.. leaving hollywood behind and their lack luster stereotypes of "colored folk"..to TELL THEIR STORY.. the african american success stories never TOLD..
Chicago48
So you're saying that this didn't happen to Mike Oher? I never heard of the man until this movie. I thought he was for real.
roadhunter
Blaxploitation? Put them in a movie, and they're being exploited, leave them out, and their being discriminated against, even though they make up a higher percentage of characters in movies and TV than they make up of the general population.
MemphisTN29
and to you what's this "they" about?...if you didn't know we (they) have the 2nd largest purchasing power in the country...because we spend more that we save(that's another issue altogether)...that could be why you see more of us (they) on TV and in the Movies
BMamaK
Oh my God so as far as you're concerned Roadhunter can't win. EVEN THOUGH HE IS ENTIRELY RIGHT!!!!!!
zetathree
roadhunter, you may want to read what a blaxploitation movie is.
grandmasterC
LOL
jdimaggio
OR.... we could just remember that it is only a movie, designed to inspire people to do good, and to make people feel good. And that the portrayal of Oher, while both saintly and sexless, might in fact be accuracte. Certainly, in real life Oher doesn't save lives, and he isn't a celibate monk. ,but that doesn't mean that growing up, he didn't act like a good kid who looked out for his kid brother, and focused on school rather than sex. Sometimes, when we look for hidden meaning in everything, we create it where none exists.
MondoBizzaro
EXACTLY!!! Dimaggio, you hit the nail on the head... I couldn't have said it better.
Cymatic
Actually most of the really obese or extremely homely people I knew growing up did in fact act sexless. Any show of sexuality would be met by "ew gross" or a cute girl would be informed by someone that the chubby boy with the big nose on the other side of the class said she was "hot" and she would pretend to gag.
I have had many friends who act sexless almost entirely, and then one day show up with a girlfriend on their arm. The whole process was a mystery to everyone and no one saw it coming because they were so circumspect and private about it.
Why should every black character have to show their sexual side?! Does every white character have to?
That isn't to say that portrayals of character that are completely without any grit or reality aren't nauseating.
Chicago48
Thank you dimaggio!
breynolds14
"The Blind Side" does not support your premise. Maybe if you ever deigned to leave your ivory tower to open your life and family to a young person of any color, much less a black person, you would understand that not every such story is appropriate for an academic discussion about race. I wonder if you know Mr. Oher or his family or ever took the time to meet them before you wrote an article criticizing or questioning how they were depicted. That a book was written and a movie made about how a white family helped a young black man reach his potential is not blaxploitation -- it is simply the telling of a truly inspirational story.
crymeariver
Co-sign. Well said.
nkadzi
~sigh!!
jpines
Interesting commentary. Having read the book, what struck me most is that somehow this young man emerged from a terrible childhood without the bitterness he had every right to possess. The miracle in the story is that the family actually behaved like Christians and reached out to Michael Oher. The unanswerable question is whether they would have done so if Oher hadn't possessed such tremendous athletic skills. People are going to the movie because it is one of the few films that a family can enjoy together and it offers a great message in this season of giving.
TrueWisdom
yes, this is based on a true story. but isn't this really about how the nice, white family helps out the poor needy black man? hollywood is continually putting out movies portraying black people in a bad way. training day (denzel washington) being protrayed as a bad, crooked cop, being beat up at the end of the movie by the good, straight white cop. monster ball (halle berry) being protrayed as a sex possessed fool having sex like that with Billy Bob Thornton. Then Hollywood gives them both Oscars because they did such a good job. Come on! There are many black man that have the same character as protrayed by Michael Oher. Honestly, most black people have incredible integrity. Precious does protray the darker side of black life. And honestly, that is based on other, social dynamics that take place in this country daily. Trust me, you don't want me to go there. Check out films like; Crooklyn (1994), Get on the Bus (1996), and of course Malcolm X (1992). All directed by Spike Lee. All of these protrayed incredible "black saints". The only difference, there were no white families protrayed in these films. Oh darn! No black saints for them to save in these movies. The "black saint" as you call it has never gone anywhere in films or in life. The "return" of such is based on your biased perception. Thaddeus, my good man, how about making some pop corn and sitting down with your family and watching one of those movies I've mentioned. You may learn something. Your question, what it may mean to portray African Americans as saints in films? It's already being done. Your just tuning into the wrong channel. Not to mention watching the wrong movies. Pitiful article, which opens up much debate in my opinion. And yes, you do have every right to your opinion.
timmyboy
ok, did you hear about the black family that helped out the white kid?
what, you didn't? maybe because it never happened... even with middle and upper class blacks.
Dreamer4Ever
you are seriously saying that blacks have never helped whites.
I am gob-smacked. Wow man. Just wow.
freddibare
Research is good and teh internets makes it easy.
'Raising Katie:
What adopting a white girl taught a black family about race in the Obama era'.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/194886
Chicago48
TrueWisdom: Trust me, Hollywood doesn't put out ENOUGH movies made by and starring black people. I'm glad this year has come because now we have Tyler Perry's movie, Precious, and The Blind side -- these are starring and about black characters. How often does that happen? Mostly it's gangster, superhero blacks, or comedy. This was a great year for black actors and urban-driven content.
clearthinker
Although this is a well written article, I can't help but laugh a little at the thought process that went into this. An upper class white family brought in a low rent black kid to live with them and this is somehow "blackploitation"? Wouldn't it be reasonable for this family to feel good about themselves by helping this kid out. Are we supposed to believe that every inner city black kid is a hardened criminal who thinks of sex non-stop? Isn't it possible that Mr. Oher is thankful to this family and that is why he "has their back"?
The reason this movie is doing so well is because it is a great, TRUE story that knows no race. This is the human element, not some great, political-racial agenda seeking, crap. "Precious" may be true to life, but that doesn't make anyone feel good after seeing it.
crymeariver
For this writer to say that a completely FICTIONAL character like in Precious is more true to life than the REAL story in the "Blind Side" is hilarious. His next article will be "the Earth is flat, really"!
Chicago48
I didn't feel anything about Precious after walking out. I didn't feel any sympathy for her. At the most I could stay, there but for the grace of god go I, because I could have easily been Precious....but other than that I couldn't relate or sympathize. But I had my hankie out 1/2 minutes into the Blind Side. A lot of heart.
Cymatic
clearthinker - good post. Feeling good about yourself for doing good things is part of the payoff. And guilt from doing wrong is the main deterrent. While it's true that good intentions occasionally cause harm, it's almost always the opposite. Someone right now is volunteering at a battered women's shelter or a soup kitchen and my hat goes off to them - and I hope they feel good about it too! Society needs more families like the ones in the film.
Dreamer4Ever
Everyone, black and white, has their good qualities and their bad qualities. It's called being human. Films like to ignore this, and portray everyone has either evil for saintly.
breynolds14
When you treat everything as academic, theoretical and sterile, it becomes cyncial. Live a little; don't think so much. The attached is the message that is conveyed through this story -- not your irrational fear of paternalism and exploitation.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/12/04/navarrette.blindside.inspiration/i ndex.html
whipmawhopma
Damn it, this article makes it clear that my favorite series of action hero movies, the Blade trilogy, is just another example of blaxploitation by the master of blaxploitation films, Wesly 'Alway bet on black' Snipes a la 'Passenger 57'.
Denzel Washington in 'Man on Fire', sacrificing his life for the sake of a white child he was hired to guard, more blaxploitation. Likewise 'American Gangster' where he played the role of a very bad man.
Morgan Freeman in 'Nurse Betty', more blaxploitation, as he gave up his life in the end, rather than cause any more harm.
Samuel L. Jackson in all three films of the Star Wars prequel trilogy films as the righteous Jedi knight Mace Windu, again more blaxploitation.
And it's even on television. Alimi Ballard as the super sharp FBI agent David Sinclair on 'Numb3rs', again, more blaxploitation, and what's worse, it's mixed with jewploitation, compounding the error.
Any black person, portrayed as a saint or a sinner in something as simplistic and limited as a 2-hour movie or 1-hour television show is obviously, now, thanks to Thaddeus Russell, only blaxploitation, and we must all do our part to avoid participating in such a thing, and therefore must stop watching any of it.
Or maybe we should ignore him and enjoy whatever it is we enjoy.
MondoBizzaro
Well said!
StephenBarrett
What this article lacks is the author providing any insight as to what Oher really was like growing up. If he is falsely portrayed then I find this interesting. If that is how he was for the most part then I agree with the commenters above. If you are going to write an article like this at least have the facts to go with your point.
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Noontime
maladapted:
actually, its a very well written piece that tackles a tricky subject. For those white folks who have meaningful friendships with black folks, its an interesting discussion about character portrayal. And for those white folks who don't, I suppose it is about nothing...
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jdimaggio
Well said.
KonradProduct
Painful but true - if you've seen any of these movies (and passed 8th grade American History.) Thaddeus makes a good case for what is, essentially, slavery reinvented as cultural whatnot. Yes, there are contra-examples, but he's describing a moment which - for all the Blades & Am Gangster's - seems to reemerge as banal, culture comfort pap every few years.
whipmawhopma
It's not slavery reinvented, but you're right, it is banal, culture comfort pap, and geared towards meeting the comfort needs of some particular audience that responds to it by feeling good about themselves, or at least that's what I think of it.
It reminds me of that white mushy cereal that's fed to infants and looks much the same when they puke it up. Which is why I am not going to see this movie or the other ones like it.
GateKeeper
@whipmawhopma
BETTER THAN WELL SAID.. EXCELLENT!
MemphisTN29
How about this, like ever other culture and subculture around the world you have both protagonist and antagonist. Why in American when you see a blk man (me) he is either the Magic Negro(love that term) or the dope dealing sex predator. Guess what guys....like everyone else on the face of this planet..there are many different types of African Americans..lets stop trying to box us in to one category
Noontime
well said.
andygirl
Not only that, and I do agree, but what about the Great White Hope? This bugs me about Hollywood and about this film. The rich, benevolent white lady swoops in to save the poor, struggling, hopeless black man. We all have our places, right? And black people need the white people in order to survive. It's a good thing the white people are around to save the poor black folk. Gah. Makes me crazy.
It's not just in the US though. You'll see it in other post-colonial settings, like in France and Britain.
ohsure
Mike Barber at Huffpo calls it the "white savior" archetype. I think it is just as PC, one-dimensional, and inaccurate as the "magic negro" archetype. Mike lays it out here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-barber/white-mans-burden-redux-t_b_37 8644.html?show_comment_id=35639401#comment_35639401
candyhotzoo
This article absolutely hits the nail on the head. Unfortunately, reader comments shows the derelict caliber of the Daily Beast audience. Bravo Thaddeus Russell! These are important concepts for all of us (brown,yellow, pink, whatever) to consider. Unfortunately, Americans have been so spoon-fed they no longer have the capacity for semi-complex thought.
timmyboy
Is this guy an absolute idiot? Do any of you dolts realize that this movie is about a real life story?
What a bunch of absolute idiots. Only liberal dolts can take a true story and complain that it somehow is a plot to misrepresent the real situation.
DOLTS
Chicago48
Exactly. and anybody who saw it, saw the first five minutes where the black male janitor brings Michael to the school and is helping Michael in the beginning. Until his wife tells him to put Mike out...and that's where the white family steps in.
People -- go see the movie before you put a message up.
surelyyoujest
Yes, movies are amazing tools to present real life without any poetic license.
kayjay
Yeah, what kind of dolts think that a movie based on a true story can conceivably misrepresent the real situation... ?
And "Braveheart" fathered an English prince. And Americans cracked the enigma code. And the Texas Chainsaw Massacre really happened. DOLTS!
timmyboy
interesting since blacks are actually more racist than whites...
i.e. was Obama black enough? .... pressure on blacks to only marry within the race? hmmmm
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