Aug 09 2008
Forced Frugal? - The Nunez Family’s Story
PREEMPTIVE NOTE FROM MICHAEL: I may draw some criticism here, but I cannot for the life of me understand this story and I may end up preaching a little bit as a result, so bear with me.
I’m not the type to attack people when they are down - far from it - but this NPR story was one of the most poorly executed and poorly considered news pieces I’ve heard in years and if you will bear with me for a moment, I’d like to explain why.
A generation ago, her Ohio family was full of people employed by the auto industry but now the economy has made it impossible for Gloria Nunez to find a job. To make matters worse, her van broke down so now her 19 year old daughter can’t look for work either and the two are forced to survive on less than $740 a month between Social Security and Food Stamps.
On the outset, the liberal in me wanted to feel sorry for this family but then I started to notice a few glaring problems in the story, as told by NPR. First, Nunez is a 40 year old mother who has never worked in her life. Not ever. She also never got her high school diploma or GED. Not ever.
Her daughter Angelica Hernandez on the other hand graduated high school and “has had several jobs in recent years”, but is not working now.
I’d like to say that it wasn’t the photo of Nunez and Hernandez that raised my eyebrow in the first place, but I would be lying if I did. Both mother and daughter are morbidly obese and the article mentions that they have had to cut back on groceries, including no longer buying “extras like ice cream”, and cutting back on meat.
In her defense, the article states that Nunez was in a car accident 17 years ago that left her “depressed and disabled” and “incapable of getting a job”. Yet, I know people who have lost limbs and had near-fatal heart conditions who managed to do so.
I owe a hat tip to travelling_blackbird from Rolling Traveler for the heads up on this story. If you enjoy reading about life from perspectives that are different than your own, I strongly recommend his blog for an eye-opening glimpse of what it is like to see the world from a wheelchair. Thanks for looking out for me, t_b!
You’re right. I find your statements offensive! I have several family members who are morbidly obese, and I find the assumption that fat = lazy to be more than a little annoying. I think your entire argument is based on that photo, and nothing more. So, what, fat people don’t deserve understanding?
As someone who previously struggled with depression, I can tell you that it is not something that you just “get over” cause you need to work. I actually ended up leaving work for two years, while struggling with depression and panic attacks. Luckily for me, I am married and we could afford to be without my income.
To see things from yet another perspective, why not take into account that the cheapest foods are the worst foods — high in saturated fats and low in nutrients. When your family is hungry, you are going to feed them, even if what you are feeding them is not the best! Many low income families can’t even afford to buy fresh vegetables. That’s a sad state of affairs, but it’s true.
Cynthia: My response was not that they were “fat and lazy”, my response was that they were obviously obese and now by their own admission had to do without ice cream.
I am well aware of the cost of fast food and fresh produce, but really now - if these women aren’t working then why can’t they grow their own vegetables? The seeds cost almost nothing and I’m sorry but there’s not a single argument you can come up with that will negate that fact.
I’m also not making light of depression. I founded and ran a nonprofit that worked with teen suicide prevention for several years and have moderated an Internet support group for suicidal people (and those who have lost loved ones to suicide) since 1999.
You said “So, what, fat people don’t deserve understanding?”, but the real fact is that you read my piece as a single-minded attack on overweight people when that was the furthest from the truth.
Amy: I’ve always been a big fan of NPR but this story sounded like it was written by someone trying to be funny instead of a serious journalist. p.s.: love your web site!
* bows * Always glad to point out an interesting article to someone.
I thought Cynthia’s comment about the cheapest foods being the worst foods was interesting, because the reality in my experience is not so. It takes more work to find good and nutritious cheap food, but it is out there. There’s a market in the city I live in twice a week selling cheap locally grown veg, and there was a 5-day-a-week fruit and veg market in the city I used to live in. If you take the time to look, there are places to get the food, again, in my experience. If I lived somewhere that didn’t have local markets, of course, it would be harder.
I also agree that veg can be cheaply grown.
The ice-cream comment was the one that stuck in my mind from the article. Whether it was the author’s emphasis or the interviewee’s, it was an odd food item to pick as one to miss.
This is a very interesting story and the comments as well. I had not heard of this story before but lets make sure everyone realizes that some people do need there disability, but some do not. I can work at home and do so when I am able. I cannot work a full time job due to the need of back surgery which I cannot afford. I am not making much, but I am working online as I said. I am sure she could find something if she looked and was willing to learn a new trade.
As far as the weight issue, I cannot even go there. My mother is a large woman but she has thyroid cancer and has gained over 200 pounds through no fault of her own. She does hardly eat so I know she is not over eating. I weight 145 and eat all the time, but I do eat alot of fresh veggies and fruit along with my meat.
I like the fact that you have given another spin to this story and have put it out there. It comes in handy when you have more than one point of view.