While today's Cotton Bowl match up between Ole Miss and Texas Tech is sure to be a great game, the back story--or actually the story up front, is even more compelling.The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (author of other gems such as Liar's Poker and Moneyball) is the amazing story of Michael Oher and the evolution of the most important spot on the line--the left offensive tackle. (ibid: Jake Long) The book documents the evolution of the game along with the evolution of an illiterate, disinfranchised, amazingly gifted poor black kid from Memphis who is taken in by a well-to-do rich white Christian family--and transformed. The most compelling thing about this book for me is the sociological truth that in this country, although we like to believe it is true, we are in no way a meritocracy. Rather those with access and social privilege can maximize their potential, while those with limited resources, dreams, and social support are more likely to recapitulate their life circumstances over and over and over rather than succeed. If you compare what could have become the story of Michael Oher had the Tuohys NOT taken him in, and the story that will become Michael Oher on draft day---you will understand exactly why Michael Lewis' book is a MUST read. And why I'll be rooting for the entire Ole Miss crew.
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12 comments:
I had to replace your tiny image. He is too big of a man to have a thumb sized image.
You bring up a very interesting topic. I have not read the book, but I will add it to my list. I loved Moneyball.
I agree with you that access is easier for those with education and resources... but there are plenty of great success stories (both inside and outside the world of sports) where someone pulls themselves out of poverty into the american dream.
Much better on the picture, thanks as always!
Totally agree with you Andy, but it seems more the exception than the rule. Sports is not the only way out of a crappy SES bracket. Education and gainful employment seem to be. The whole Puritan work ethic seems to be important as well. Self-sufficiency, dedication, delay of gratification etc.
How those ideas/ideals get instilled is an interesting topic.
And, on the flip side, just because your parents are successful, it doesn't necessarily follow that an individual will be as well. (like avoiding teenaged pregnancy, dropping out of school, joining a gang, becoming addicted to drugs etc etc)
Sports is the most celebrated way out. It is also the most dependent on god-given talent. Too many kids think it is their only way out.
Education is the key. If a kid can stay in school he or she can learn their way out of trouble.
wait, I thought he was taken in by Randolph and Mortimer Duke
sru--
not sure how Trading Places fits in here.....
Ole Miss up 24-21 at the half
"the evolution of an illiterate, disinfranchised, amazingly gifted poor black kid ... who is taken in by a well-to-do rich white Christian family--and transformed"
isn't that what happened to Billy Ray Valentine?
Based on OSU's peformance against Oregon, Mizzou's narrow victory over NU, & today's Cotton Bowl, I'm beginning to question the Big 12's "greatness".
"I'm beginning to question the Big 12's 'greatness'".
So...great minds do think alike.
The Big 12 is getting exposed.
The Buckeyes will finish the job on Monday.
Ole Miss wins the shoot out.
THREADJACK:
Go Utah!!!
T9 and Andy,
education and drive to overcome bad circumstances brings to mind three movies.
#1 Stand and Deliver
#2 City of God
#3 Good Will Hunting
I would be remiss if I didn't mention MSU grad and NFL Vet Courtney Hawkins who is now the head coach at Flint Beecher HS. Mick McCabe wrote an inspirational article about him when the MHSAA football playoffs began.
As much as we enjoy bashing our little brothers, they can overcome their self imposed restraints as well.
At the same time when Matt Damon's character asks the guy "Do you like apples?" The typical sparty ACTUALLY thinks Matt Damon is talking about apples.
:)
Alabama, heh.
Maybe Florida ain't so hot.
Maybe the SEC sucks this year.
Who knows?
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