I have tried to find the right words to answer your post, Marigold. I am preceded here by some of our most eloquent speakers on this board. I will try to put my thoughts down and hope it makes sense.
I think you base alot of your thoughts on what was portrayed in the Diane Sawyer special only. You have to realize, that show didn't accurately describe every person in Appalachia or in other poverty stricken areas. The ones I know are God fearing, hard working, clean, proud, and, honest people who love their children and their families. A love that is strong and controls their every move. I would hate to hear someone tell my former MIL, and, still my friend, that she 's a horrible mother. That is so harsh. How can you say these women are horrible mothers? How can you say they don't love their children? You don't know these people. You've proven that by what you said. That dear woman is one of the finest people I have ever met. She opened her arms to me and gave me food and shelter when I needed it. At 82 years old, her health is failing but she still represents one of the strongest human beings on this earth. I love and respect her with all my heart.
I felt the people depicted in the special were individuals that were completely unique. They actually allowed themselves to be interviewed and filmed for a television show!! This is not everybody there so we can't base all our thoughts on what we saw on tv.
In all respect for you and your family, their hardship was great. The overcame adversity and made a better life for themselves. However, as Mary said, you are comparing apples to oranges. Your family and the Appalachian people are not the same.
Some of those mountain people stay in the mountains. They don't leave the area. Many of them don't drive. They grow their food or raise their food in livestock. In other words, they are genuinely unaware of another type of life being available. Some of them are like hermits. They know nothing else. But, again, this doensn't describe all of the Appalachian people.
As far as the smoking goes, I saw many people smoking but you better believe they put food on the table. They aren't smoking and starving their children. Their families are number one. Always. What's wrong with having a television? I don't think there are many homes in the country that don't have some kind of a television. It is the only link to the outside that some of them have. If the tv is on, they watch it as a family. The drugs: as I said in another post, I was unaware of this problem when I was there. The doctors are prescribing the drugs for these people. All these people know is that the drugs make them feel better so they take them. It seems to have turned into abuse in some people. But, I'm sure not every person in Appalachia is abusing drugs either.
You are grouping all people as being sterotypical druggies, drunks, smokers, bad parents, etc. You just can't do that. You do sound bitter, I have to say. I'm sorry your family had such a struggle. Unfortunately, it just isn't fair to group the two situations together. I get upset reading the comments that were made about this tv show. I hope all of you(meaning you and those that commented on ABC's website) can realize that you can't judge these people on what you think you know.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks