The Blind Side -- the racial contraversy

[Bullgrit]

I've seen some complaints about how The Bind Side is racist because it shows a white mother/family taking in and helping a black kid. The complaints target on the idea that it takes benevolent whites to take care of a poor black.

"begs us to feel sorry for black people and feel grateful that there are white people in the world who can take [care] of them."

"peddles the most insidious kind of racism, one in which whiteys are virtuous saviors, coming to the rescue of blacks who become superfluous in narratives that are supposed to be about them..."

Mark Blankenship: Should We Want Movies Like Sandra Bullock's The Blind Side?

The Blind Side: What Would Black People Do Without Nice White Folks? - Page 1 - Movies - Dallas - Dallas Observer

Now, I find this kind of complaint strangly interesting. First off, the movie is based on a true story. Second, I wonder how differently people would take the movie if:

White mother/family takes in and helps a white kid.

Black mother/family takes in and helps a black kid.

Black mother/family takes in and helps a white kid.

This wondering made me try to think of movies with such stories. But my knowledge of movies is not that broad or deep. So I'm asking here:

What are some movies where a family (or family-like group) takes in a kid? What races were the family and kid? Would changing the races of the people have made the movie seem racist?

And for those of you who have seen The Blind Side, could the race of the family and kid have been changed without any change to the script? (Ignoring, for this, the fact that the story is based on real people.)

Bullgrit

 

[Crothian]

I've seen the movie and read the book. I've seen interviews with the real people the book is based on and the author. I really think this is a case of people just complaining to complain. It uis a good story and enjoyable movie.

 

[Mark]

First off, the movie is based on a true story.

In this particular case, that's the bottom line from my perspective.

 

[Pbartender]

White mother/family takes in and helps a white kid.

Annie.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Black mother/family takes in and helps a white kid.

The Jerk - oh, wait, he was born a poor black child.

could the race of the family and kid have been changed without any change to the script? (Ignoring, for this, the fact that the story is based on real people.)

Bullgrit

Have not seen the movie, but my impression is that part of the impact of the film is that it was a well-off white family who really were blissfully ignorant of the idea that there are poor black children who have nothing, and the kid they take in opens their eyes. It is about race, class, and the oblivion that many people have as they walk through life. Race adds to the contrast between their lives and keeps the family, and more importantly their peers, from being able to continue to live in that oblivious place. A poor white child taken in by the family would be able to be mostly ignored by their white friends - he would just become another one of them, blending in once he begins to show the outward signs (i.e clothing) of becoming part of their society. A black child prevents that from happening - he is always noticed as being different from everyone else.

 

[Bullgrit]

Have not seen the movie. . .

Bullgrit

 

[Banshee16]

And for those of you who have seen The Blind Side, could the race of the family and kid have been changed without any change to the script? (Ignoring, for this, the fact that the story is based on real people.)

Bullgrit

I kind of think it's a matter of the people doing the complaining getting a life. I mean, revising history now, just to fit their view of how things should be? It wouldn't be the first time history was revised, but usually it's been over something more "important" than the colour of someone's skin....which in actuality is really the most minor reason of all.

Banshee

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I think a portion of the complaints are from people who are reacting to Hollywood's history of such storylines without the realization that The Blind Side is based on a real- and truly great- story.

There are also many among our people who have gone beyond being activist and become "radioactivists." The merest hint of something racial attracts their ire. Where I live, a black councilman felt that the term "black hole" was racist...and didn't back off of that position when told what a "black hole" was.

Those in the community who already knew what the term did the obligatory facepalm.

 

[Mark Chance]

"begs us to feel sorry for black people and feel grateful that there are white people in the world who can take [care] of them."

"peddles the most insidious kind of racism, one in which whiteys are virtuous saviors, coming to the rescue of blacks who become superfluous in narratives that are supposed to be about them..."

So, she should've just let the kid sleep outside in the cold and rain?

I think I've got a pretty good idea where the insidious racism can be found in this case, and it ain't in the movie.

 

[Bullgrit]

What are some movies where a family (or family-like group) takes in a kid? What races were the family and kid? Would changing the races of the people have made the movie seem racist?

Pbartender brought up Annie -- White family takes in a white kid.

I still can't think of any movies, but I have thought of a couple of TV shows:

Diff'rent Strokes -- White family takes in black kids.

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air -- Black family takes in a black kid.

Bullgrit