Welfare Ain’t What It Used To Be
Sharon Jasper has been victimized. Sharon Jasper has been rabidly wronged. She has become a Section 8 carcass, the victim of ever changing public housing policies.
Sharon Jasper has spent 57 of her 58 years dedicated to one cause and one cause only, and has nothing to show for her dedicated servitude. She has lived in Section 8 housing all but one of her 58 years. This legacy was passed down from her parents, who moved into Section 8 housing in 1949 when Sharon was six months old. She has passed the legacy down to her own children, but fears they may have to get jobs to pay for the utilities and deposits that Section 8 is now requiring. She laments about her one year hiatus from the comfort of her Section 8 nirvana: “I tried it for a year… you know… working and all. It’s not anything I would want to go through again, or wish on anyone in my family, but I am damn proud of that year.”
After hurricane Katrina, Sharon moved out of the St. Bernard housing project and into a new, albeit substandard, quarterage. As can be noted from the above photo of her new Section 8 home, it is repugnant and not suitable for someone of Sharon Jasper’s senior status in the system. “Don’t be fooled by them hardwood floors,” says Sharon. “They told me they were putting in scraped wood floors cause it was more expensive and elegant, but I am not a fool–that was just a way to make me take scratched up wood because I am black. The 60 inch HD TV? It may look nice but it is not a plasma. It’s not a plasma because I’m black. Now they want me to pay a deposit and utilities on this dump. Do you know why?”
She has held her tongue through years of abuse by the system, but it came to a head at the New Orleans city council meeting where discussions were under way about the tearing down of the St. Bernard projects. When a near riotous exchange between two groups, one opposing the tearing down of St. Bernard and the other wanting the dilapidated buildings torn down and newer ones built, Sharon unleashed verbal hell with her once silenced tongue. The object of her oratory prowess was an acquiescent poor white boy in attendance. The content of her scathing rebuke was, “just because you pay for my house, my car, my big screen and my food, I will not be treated like a slave!” and “back up and shut up! Shut up, white boy! Shut up, white boy!”
Recapping from the mental log of the city council minutes in her head, Sharon repines, “our families have been displaced all over the United States. They are being forced to commit crimes in cities they are unfamiliar with. It is a very uncomfortable situation for them. Bring them back, then let’s talk about redevelopment.”
To try to bring notice to her tribulations, Sharon has graciously allowed parts of her slummy abode to be photographed for documentation of her abuse.
Shown above is the dining room that the housing authority pawned off on her. Sharon will acknowledge that it is nice and all, but the “man” knows she has 25 family members to feed and the size is inadequate. She believes she is the recipient of malevolence by “the man.”
Above is her bathroom, intended to taunt her because “the man” knows she is going to have to start paying her utility bills and wants to run-up her water and towel bills. Once again, she is the recipient of malevolence by “the man.”
Above is the stocked wine cellar that came with her new Section 8 house. Sharon states that this is another example of the white man taking advantage of poor black women. “Look at all these bottles of wine,” she said. “They are worthless. Just another example of thinking I am stupid. All this wine is at least 10 years old and some of it is 20 years old, you know the white man kept all the fresh stuff for himself. I ain’t that stupid.”
Sharon directs the reporter’s attention across the street to Duncan Plaza, where homeless people are living in tents, and states that, “I might do better out there with one of those tents.” She further lamented about her situation, “I might be poor, but I don’t have to live poor.”
Sharon Jasper is not going down without a fight. She is the head of a tenant association that works with the AFL-CIO’s Gulf Coast Revitalization Program, which is working closely with the Congressional Black Caucus, which is working very closely with Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to get a bill, operation Section 8 Time Share, passed in Congress. The bill would allow people of seniority, like Sharon Jasper, who have been loyal recipients of Section 8 housing for a minimum of 20 years, to be able to use a special Section 8 permit for a time share vacation home two weeks out of the year in a tropical location.
Comments (319)
Alright we know the dining room and wine cellar are a joke, but seriously look at her house! She only works one year of her whole entire life, does she even deserve a place with things that people should be rewarded with just for their hard work? She a racist, bitter old black woman that is stuck in the times of Rosa Parks…Get over yourself lady!
If section 8 housing is all this woman has ever known, why would she go to work to support herself?
Believe it or not, this woman has been oppressed.
Has anyone read ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’? Her parents, who probably didn’t receive the same education as most white people have, taught her how to survive the way they learned how to survive. It is the fault of the government that that there isn’t a better system in place teach her how to integrate into an independent lifestyle.
I don’t appreciate how this piece inaccurately satirizes the conditions of section 8 housing. Aside from the fact that the physical conditions SUCK, It is clearly an attempt to convince uninformed people that anyone living in section 8 is of the same mindset. This woman sounds like she’s mentally unstable. What about mental instabilities? What about people that can’t integrate into the working world because they are disabled? I would assume that anyone that would shout, “shut up, white boy” during a press conference has a mental instability. Anyone with a tendency to shout out profanities in public would have difficult time trying to find or keep a job.
I think that we are poking fun at someone that didn’t choose this lifestyle and it disgusts me that we are using her to prove classism and racism don’t exist anymore.
Im thankful that I can use the critical thinking skills I acquired in college to asses this satire. I am saddened that the reason I have a college education is because I’m white.
Your critical thinking skills are lacking, my friend. If the reason you have a college education is because you are white, then every white person who wants a college education would have one. Since that is not the case, your conclusion is errant…as are your other conclusions on this matter.
Probably because of your education, you fail to realize that many people believe just like this woman (some are racist to boot, and many of them are white. I recently moved from an affluent community in Southern California to a midwest city and I’ve been amazed at the number of people who are on 100% disability while holding down a full time job, often working for the government who has given them disability status.
I know another 64 year old woman in California who lived with her parents her entire life (altho’ she had a degree and worked for only 4 years). After her mother had a stroke, the government paid her $800 a month to care for her mother in her own home. Her mother died in the summer of 2008 and since then the government has paid her ‘unemployment’…and it appears they will extend it far into 2010. Altho’ this woman has a college degree, she can make it on the unemployment because her mother’s home is paid for so she refuses to get a job, altho’ she submits resumes online regularly so she can say she is looking for a job. She, too, has her laptop, cellular phone, large screen tv, ipod, car (paid for with cash by her mother), and other necesary items.
It’s sad. The truth is I feel sorry for her…not because she chooses to live on unemployment, but because she doesn’t choose to be responsible for herself and enjoy the pleasure of earning her way, achieving goals and knowing she has enriched the world in which she lives.
Back to Ms. Jasper, her attitude is disgusting. Your attitude is not in her best interest. I’m sure not everyone who lives in Section 8 is like Ms. Jasper, but it is not right, nor fair, to taxpayers to be supporting people who are not making an effort to work (for generations) and if one is on Section 8, and can afford large screen tvs, etc., I suggest they could afford their share of the rent.
Things have to change in this country. I agree that people with mental problems need to be cared for. This woman has a mental problem, but it is not a disease. It is her attitude and expectations. We, as a country, need to stop supporting this.
Sorry sweetie, but any person that wants an education today, can get one if they work for it. Not because you are white, or any other single factor. Get a grip. There are people out there who have been raised “in the system”, know no other way of life & feel they are “owed” the life style, just because.
I’m black, grew up in the ghetto of Baltimore and would like to say to Diann, you’re a moron! Sharon isn’t oppressed except by maybe a spirit of laziness. No, not all section 8 homes are that nice, but hers is. There are nice ones, it’s after they’ve been lived in by people who don’t know how to take care of things that they become rundown. It’s not the governments job to teach someone how to be independent nor to create a program to that effect. She may be mentally unstable by common sense terms but this is a prevailing thought process among some in the ghetto. That they should be given everything not work for anything. Because of slavery or the oppression that came afterwards. Both have been over few too long to hold on to that as a crutch to be lazy. The sad thing is that most of our ancestors worked and hard for everything they had even putting their life on the line to ensure a better future for their children and their children’s children and used what help that was given to them to get the job done themselves. Some may not make it out of the ghetto, but mostly it’s because they don’t do anything about it. We live in a country (despite the past injustices) where just about anyone regardless of race or ethnicity can get a good education, a good job and start a good life for them and their families. Just look at a Condoleezza Rice or a Barak Obama (though that I can use him as an example of bettering yourself is the only good thing about him being elected president). It’s not mental instability or mental disabilities that stop many people like “Sharon’s” of the world but laziness, lack of a proper home structure, lack of positive role models in the home (not on television) and ignorance. Many times it’s willing ignorance. It’s propagated in that environment many times that it’s a good thing to stay in the slums and live ghetto fabulous. That if you try to get out and do something more with yourself then you’re an Uncle Tom or want to be white. People like you and those in that part of society keep the concept alive and in your case you’re too ignorant to see it; the concept that it’s ok to be ignorant, stupid and to stay in the slums and it’s ok because you’re black. That’s what it means to be black. Only white people or only white can finish school and or further their education and only because they’re white. No, people can better their standing in life because they’re the type to not give up and will work hard to do so or because they have a supportive family, be that family rich or poor. Racism and classicism still exists, but it no longer has the ability to keep a person down all their lives unless you let it. A lot of racism comes not from whites only but also often from blacks. Blacks to white and blacks to blacks. And racism from any person is wrong: black or white, for any reason. But it all stems from ignorance. Yes, life hands many a raw deal and they never make it out of a bad situation in life but mostly, especially in this country it’s because they never even tried. If you comments are an example of critical thin king skills learned at college, I’d ask for my tuition back! It’s also just another example of the backwards thinking (want to be forward thinking) progressive taught concepts of our education system that is becoming increasingly liberal. This country is going in the wrong direction on so many levels.
[...] Henrietta Hughes or her son, Cory; it is about Barack Obama. Stories of people whose primary job is milking the system are a dime a dozen, same song and dance, just a different name and [...]
We’re goin’ broke … we ARE broke out here in CA paying for all these Mexican immigrants who come here to work the fields.
Funny though, I don’t think that I’ve ever heard a Mexican blame our government for their strife. Within a couple generations of these immigrants coming here, their kids are getting good educations and contributing to the economy and community.
In fact, all my life I’ve seen pickup trucks with 4-6 Mexican guys pulling trailers with their lawnmowers & equipment who work as gardners. I’ve NEVER seen a truckload of blacks heading out into the community with their crew and equipment to work as gardners.
I’ve done blue collar work, I’ve had jobs in the legal field, I’ve worked as a waitress, an office manager…whatever it took. I didn’t graduate from high school, but every job I took gave me confidence that I could take on a bigger challenge. Paid cash ($500.00) for my first car; VW Beetle. It NEVER occured to me that I could look to others/government to support me.
OK black America. Put up or shut-up. No one wants to hear about you’all never having any opportunities in this country. I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you write Obama a letter and send your complaints to him. Be afraid of what you ask for …. and get off your asses. There are plenty of people who need gardners in CA year-round. Go get a small business loan, print up some flyers and get to earning a living. If poverty stricken Mexicans can make it here, and they often don’t speak the language, you should be able to. …. We’re all sick of hearing about your woes…like I said, write a letter to Obama and tell him about your problems. And maybe someof you freeloaders faking disability and get paid for sitting on your porch all day could consider doing some volunteer work…maybe help underpriviledged kids to read. You’re gonna have to turn off the TV and get up off your large asses though.
I would like to say we pay our gardner 75 dollars a month, they come and work for 45-to an hour 1 day a week. The lady who owns the company said they have 15 houses a day.between their 2 trucks it is a family owned business and on the side they have a pool business. there are 6 people in the family they make $7,875.00 a month in gardening alone. that is just the mowing and edging.
I love the satire of the article. Finally someone brave enough to say what is really going on.
Just the other day in the wonderful land of San Antonio was a news clip of a family painting the word “Help Forclosure!” in black on the outside of their run-down clapboard house. The husband was finally raking the leaves with tons of trash out of the yard. (Couldn’t manage to do it before the TV crews got there.) Inside the house was a very large 60″ flat screen TV. Can’t seem to make the mortgage payment on a house probably valued at $40K (at the most), but could afford to pay for a TV like that?
Come on now people, really.
Of course, if I said anything it would be because I am a racist white woman. Drop the slavery issue. Every culture has had slavery throughout history. Just because your ancestors were wronged does not mean that you are.
Well I just want to say that I have paid over $45,000 in taxes this year, and have worked hard for all that I have. Now the Government wants more money and if this stands to be true I now know how I may achieve the American Dream. I will first start by lowering my self esteam and dignity to the point I do not give a shit anymore. I will now have a plethora of uneducated ignorant kids that will grow up and pillage and rob the good honest people of this Country, just as this so called ENTITLED women is. If she is entitled to anything more than an asylum please send me a check to the following address!!!!! Give me a Break this is so quitassential and yet looks so bad on the African Americans that worked hard to prosper no matter the adversity….
What a stupid, ungrateful women! I cannot believe she would say these things. I work everyday and so does my fiancee. Just to make rent. You don’t see me whining because I don’t have a plasma TV. People like her need to be shipped of to 3rd world countries like Somalia, Ethiopia or even Mexico. Maybe then she will fill more at home. What is it with people like her and always having to play the role of the victim.
If she has been allowed to live in section 8 housing for over 50 years, it is not just her that we should be out raged with, it is the policy makers that have allowed for such policies to exist. The Government is responsible to the taxpayers to protect our money and spend it wisely, this is a very good example of what a poor job they are doing. All of us need to be addressing matters like this with our state representatives and let them know that we are out raged. People like Sharon can not abuse the system if the system is functioning properly.
Beautifully written piece, Jim. Would love to get a link to some of your other stuff!
Story was mentioned (not quoted,) in today’s Whiskey and Gunpowder post. Glad I tracked it down.
this is stupid, I was dislocated from my job almost a year ago.I have 3 children, my wife and myself and all we get is $ 213 in food stamps a month we are very greatful and thankful!!!!
neither my wife or myself get health coverage it must be because i am white!!!!! I have nothing nice to say to this ungreatful person and i hope that they come and take all of these things from her and put her up in a studio appartment and give these things to a family that is actualy trying to better themselves rather than suck our dwindeling welfare funds dry. PS screw you sharon!!!!!!!
I live in the southern region and I have seen such mentality first hand. I know this article has some tongue and cheek moments but there are a lot for people that have this same though process. They strictly rely on the government to take care of their needs. While the working citzens pay for it. I see this almost every day working in the private insurance field.
Just think everyone, not only are people like her living better than some but were going to give her free health care now as if it wasn’t free before. She’s going to go to the doctor once a week complaining about this and that running up health care costs at the tax payer expenses. Why would she or anyone want a job, heck she’s got it made. Wake up folks, keep voting in those democrats. We republicans are just as caring as anyone and are generous with giving but the difference is were not stupid to the point we create these types of entitlement programs which will eventually kill this country and destroy the very fabric of what this country means and stands for. Health care reform Obama style will be the straw that breaks the Camels back, but hey, the liberals say we owe it to these poor hard working folk who got it so bad right.
[...] Click HERE for “Welfare Ain’t What it Used to Be” by jimbyrd.com to compare the post-blizzard Michigan attitude to the post-Hurricane Katrina attitude. [...]
I used to live in California (I called it “taxifornia”) and at one time had 8 rent houses and duplexes. I always felt, just because you were poor, did not mean you had to live in squalar. I can tell you the story is only too true. One duplex I owned, I had 5 sisters living in one side or the other over 6 years. They all were on section 8 and between the 5 of them, had 23 children with never a “husband” in sight. Lots of boy friends but none of them ever married. I paid the water and planted grass and flowers and mowed the lawn and all I ask was for then to put the free water on the plants, but they could not be bothered.
I got tired of always painting and repairing because a drug crazed boy friend was ripping the sink off the wall.
I think the “LBJ” legacy has come home to roost
I’m black, grew up in the ghetto of Baltimore and would like to say to Diann, you’re a moron! Sharon isn’t oppressed except by maybe a spirit of laziness. No, not all section 8 homes are that nice, but hers is. There are nice ones, it’s after they’ve been lived in by people who don’t know how to take care of things that they become rundown. It’s not the governments job to teach someone how to be independent nor to create a program to that effect. She may be mentally unstable by common sense terms but this is a prevailing thought process among some in the ghetto. That they should be given everything not work for anything. Because of slavery or the oppression that came afterwards. Both have been over few too long to hold on to that as a crutch to be lazy. The sad thing is that most of our ancestors worked and hard for everything they had even putting their life on the line to ensure a better future for their children and their children’s children and used what help that was given to them to get the job done themselves. Some may not make it out of the ghetto, but mostly it’s because they don’t do anything about it. We live in a country (despite the past injustices) where just about anyone regardless of race or ethnicity can get a good education, a good job and start a good life for them and their families. Just look at a Condoleezza Rice or a Barak Obama (though that I can use him as an example of bettering yourself is the only good thing about him being elected president). It’s not mental instability or mental disabilities that stop many people like “Sharon’s” of the world but laziness, lack of a proper home structure, lack of positive role models in the home (not on television) and ignorance. Many times it’s willing ignorance. It’s propagated in that environment many times that it’s a good thing to stay in the slums and live ghetto fabulous. That if you try to get out and do something more with yourself then you’re an Uncle Tom or want to be white. People like you and those in that part of society keep the concept alive and in your case you’re too ignorant to see it; the concept that it’s ok to be ignorant, stupid and to stay in the slums and it’s ok because you’re black. That’s what it means to be black. Only white people or only white can finish school and or further their education and only because they’re white. No, people can better their standing in life because they’re the type to not give up and will work hard to do so or because they have a supportive family, be that family rich or poor. Racism and classicism still exists, but it no longer has the ability to keep a person down all their lives unless you let it. A lot of racism comes not from whites only but also often from blacks. Blacks to white and blacks to blacks. And racism from any person is wrong: black or white, for any reason. But it all stems from ignorance. Yes, life hands many a raw deal and they never make it out of a bad situation in life but mostly, especially in this country it’s because they never even tried. If you comments are an example of critical thin king skills learned at college, I’d ask for my tuition back! It’s also just another example of the backwards thinking (want to be forward thinking) progressive taught concepts of our education system that is becoming increasingly liberal. This country is going in the wrong direction on so many levels. So sad!!!!!!!