November 06, 2009
A century ago, Troy, New York, was a thriving industrial capital. Today many of its residents live in poverty. Studio 360's Lu Olkowski went to Troy with poet Susan B.A. Somers-Willet and photographer Brenda Ann Kenneally to document some of Troy's stories. They spent a lot of time with a single mother, Billie Jean Hill.
I am incensed by the attention and airplay given to women who have made bad choices and refuse to support themselves financially. I grew up across the river from Troy and saw first hand entire families hanging out on stoops during working hours. They scream and cuss at their copious children, children who will inevitably grow up and follow the same patterns of irresponsibility. To the woman who can not support her 7(?!) children. Why do you keep having children if you can not support them???? Is it because you know that the taxpayers who are watching you drink Buds on your stoop and verbally abuse your children, will?
But say, that a nice new tattoo you've got there. Why is your station rewarding this behavior?
Thank you for the beautiful slide show and spoken word.
Within your piece I found compassion for these women. Sometimes I find myself falling prey to such lazy emotions as hatred and anger. It takes time, energy and empathy to try to understand what makes us so different from one another. I understand that not everyone is willing to do that (in regards to the comment above) and unfortunately that lack of emotional maturity will be passed from generation to generation, as is racism and intolerance.
Thank you.
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