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Speak Your Piece: Diane Sawyer in Eastern Kentucky

Arts and Culture | Media
02/15/2009
12 comments print

When does journalism cross the line? And did Diane Sawyer cross the line in her report on Appalachia Friday night?

By B. L. Dotson-Lewis

ABC News Shawn Grimm was a star football player in Eastern Kentucky who often lived in his truck. He was the subject of a Diane Sawyer report on ABC Friday night.

I would hate to think I am addicted to the news, but the truth is I get weak and shaky if I don’t get a good dose of it. I require national and state on a daily basis and weekly from my local hometown paper in rural West Virginia. On special occasions I may opt for a bit more.

I sometimes wonder: What is good journalism? I know it is supposed to answer questions like what, who, where, when and how but there are other facets to reporting news topics in my opinion. So, let me begin. My name is Betty Dotson-Lewis. I am from a rural, coalmining town in West Virginia.

On Friday night, after the ABC News documentary narrated by Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, I wondered if rural Eastern Kentucky was good journalism. The title: “The Hidden America – Children of the Mountains.” The theme: “Poverty in Appalachia.”

I wondered: How far should journalists go with news? – Is it worth it to tear up a section of the country as long as it is the truth? What if it brings to light the most deplorable actions by human beings? Is it good journalism if it is for social justice?

On Friday night for one hour the screen was filled with down-and-out families where drugs, missing teeth, filthy living conditions, shabby housing, litter and lack of food made me ashamed. Was I ashamed because I, too, come from Appalachia or because poverty is a truth in our region? I couldn’t answer. I was glued to the set even though I had a good idea where this was going. I knew where it was going, but I didn’t know how we were going to get there.

Sawyer took us to Paintsville, Kentucky, and Johnson Central High School. She wanted to tell us about Shawn Grim, who became a high school football star through hard work and determination even though he was shorter and weighed less than his opponents. Shawn lived out of his pickup truck. He went to a friend’s house to shower. Shawn told us he wanted to break the cycle of poverty he had grown up in. He wanted to make something of himself by getting an education. He took Diane to his home in a remote section of the county. The living conditions were deplorable; everything you don’t want to imagine was happening there. 


Shawn could not stay in his home and beat the obstacles he faced. He did have support from his coaches and friends at school. He received a scholarship to Pikeville (KY) College but dropped out after two months. The report said that he could not keep up. He felt like an outsider. He had no spending money. He went back home. ABC News Shawn's house.

But when does journalism cross the line? The report seemed to say that incest is part of the lives of Appalachia’s poor. I don’t know if statistics support that claim or not.
 I am sketchy about all the show’s details, but I can’t forget the little girls taking on the role as the parent of their drug addicted mothers.

Mountain Dew soft drink took a hit as a reason for tooth decay in mountain people. I have no reason to doubt this, but dental care is expensive and sometimes hard to find in remote rural areas.

Diane took a trip into a coal mine. She interviewed coal miners with their bosses standing close by. It was a dead giveaway that the miners were uneasy answering her questions. Why would an experienced journalist handle this situation as she did? It would have been more interesting, and reliable, to get answers when the bosses were not present. I was left out in the cold on this one.

The documentary featured Eula Hall of Kentucky’s Mud Creek Clinic. She is a remarkable woman of strength and courage. The story featured a dentist who provides dental care with a traveling dental clinic.

Jim Booth, a coal mine owner who lives in a mansion in the middle of the poverty, was asked about the big house. He answered that he wanted people to know he planned on staying in the area and that he is living proof you can succeed in the midst of poverty.
When Sawyer’s documentary was over, I thought maybe an hour wasn’t long enough to explore such a complex issue. Maybe that’s why the show lacked much real information.

But I wondered why Sawyer didn’t explore the causes of the poverty and the cycle that kept these places poor. I wondered why she did not bring in a panel of experts to explain how this cycle can be broken and if people want to help, how they can find it. I wondered why she did not cover more of the coal scene in the area, such as ravaging the mountains by mountaintop removal, loss of jobs and the failure of coal operators to give back to the community.

I logged on to the website after the show and read about three-quarters of the more than 1,000 comments posted. News people are famous for saying things like, “Debate is good.” Well, there is debate over this documentary.

Many, many people from Eastern Kentucky are outraged over this portrayal of their region. They did not think enough positive was shown, deepening the stereotype of the hillbilly. Many viewers, mostly out of the region, want to send money to the little girls or to take the children from their homes.

Viewers are offering Shawn Grim a home, job, money and help in getting his college education.

So, is this type journalism justified if it brings to light a group of people in a region who are living in poverty?

These days we depend on journalists not only to report but interpret the news. The people of Eastern Kentucky and Appalachia were left high and dry on this one, however. This story brings to light a serious problem in Appalachia but the approach and editing offer just a temporary fix for a few, deepening an old stereotype of the Appalachian.

Comments

16 February 2009 - 3:30am — nursetammy67

Diane Sawyer crossed the line!!

I am amazed that a so-called professional could make such poor judgement. Diane Sawyer portrayed all of Eastern ky. as poverty stricken. All of Eastern Kentucky is not "poor, on drugs, uneducated and on public assistance." As an Eastern Kentuckian, I found this show to be totally offensive. She didn't bother to show all of the nice homes that are in these areas; nor did she interview the professional, well-educated citizens of this area.

Diane did not mention that Jim Booth, the owner of local coal mines, has provided many jobs in this area and did not come from wealth himself. He worked hard to get where he is. THE KEY WORD HERE IS WORK!!

Eastern Kentucky is not the only area in the United States that has poverty. I have never seen anyone on the street with a sign "will work for food" in Martin County.

16 February 2009 - 8:02am — leolabeth

Sorry to be mistress of the obvious...

but this is network news. The only hope we have of getting electronic news unmitigated by monied interests is via public television, Frontline,  P.O.V.  and Democracy Now, and the website ProPublica, the last bastion of actual investigative journalism. The bloggers are working to fill in the gaps, but frankly the buying public--people advertisers like--just aren't that into poverty.

Though print journalism is in its last throes, it is still possible to get some semblance of the unvarnished truth, but we can no longer count on it there either.

You cannot seriously tell me you expect real journalism from Diane Sawyer. She hasn't done a real news story since Nixon left office. Also, those miners would have been fired the second they spoke about any realities of the mines. They might just as well have the bosses standing there.

Complaining that network news no longer provides news the the public interest is like complaining that snow is frozen, white and fluffy.

n.b. both the Frontline and P.O.V. links go to actual documentaries about Appalachian poverty--as opposed to market-driven crapola a la ABC.

 

16 February 2009 - 11:29am — walt828 (not verified)

Reinforcing Stereotypes

The media is controlled by urban-dwelling, middle-class people with college degrees who think that anyone who doesn't share their lifestyle should be pitied and "saved." I recommend bell hooks' latest book "Belonging," which is a much more balanced view of Appalachian Kentucky. Is there poverty in Appalachia? Sure. But the reason for drug use and rotting teeth is about the US economic system that is destroying the rural way of life and forcing more and more people to move to the city.

16 February 2009 - 11:52am — rome5481

The human condition

I am a native West Virginian, and an educated person.  The two often seem mutually exclusive when reported by a national entity.  It is common for someone to frame their research around a preconceived notion.  It happens all the time in biological research.  I believe this is also true for the Diane Sawyer piece.  Poverty was the angle and appalachia was the region.  Any information found to the contrary would simply be omitted.  Ms. Sawyer could have attended an academic conference at Marshall Univeristy in Huntington, WV, enjoyed a meal at the Chop House in Charleston, WV, on her way to watch the WVU-Villanova basketball game in Morgantown,WV, all before stopping in Coalwood or Kermit, or any other poor mining town in West Virginia.  We would not see any rocketry experimentation in coalwood nor would be hear mention of other experiences in the state.  The report would be alcoholism, drug addiction, SSI checks, lack of clothing and hygiene, and sophomoric analysis of the observations.  Journalism used to begin with curiosity of a premise, objective reseach and analysis, and then thought-provoking reporting of the research experience.  No more.

16 February 2009 - 3:50pm — laura_new_york

HELP FOR SHAWN GRIM

HOW TO HELP SHAWN GRIM -To all those out there on this news feed adding comments that were interested in providing financial support to Shawn Grim to return to college - I have been in contact with his former football coach and they are in the process of setting up a trust fund for him so that everyone who saw this story and wants to help financially may do so - this should be set up in the next few days - and I will post more as soon as I hear it - in the mean time - if you want to e-mail and let me know you are interested in donating to him - I will keep you in an e-mail list so that I can let you know the details of the fund and where to send the money when it is all set up. e-mail me at: help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com

 

Thank you for your continued support - if I can set up similar funds for the others featured in the story I will - we are trying to locate people who can get us in contact with them - if anyone can help please email me - thanks help_for_shawn_from_ny@hotmail.com

16 February 2009 - 5:20pm — sraher

An old story...

Even with the poor quality that some of us have come to expect from commercial TV journalism, I'm surprised Sawyer's staff didn't avoid this trap.  If they had done their research, they would have come across Elizabeth Barret's incredible 2000 documentary Stranger With A Camera, which looks at the long-running practice of insensitive press coverage of Apalachian poverty.

Sounds like ABC would have done better to just run Barret's film than invest the money in yet another soft feature on rural poverty.

17 February 2009 - 3:08am — Seden

Diane Saywers E. Kentucky report

I live in Simi Valley,Ca.,just north of LA. My Wife and I saw the report just for what it was. Please give people who do not live in Kentucky credit for having enough maturity and just plain common sense to realize this was a particular situation and realize that yes of course there are rich and middle class all over your fine state. We get it. It's obvious why there is poverty in Appalachia-there's no jobs! If that town of Shawn's had small industry besides just coal mining people would have HOPE and a future. Like the Bible says, "without hope the people perish".

I am grateful that Diane Saywer did the report as I had no idea the level of poverty that these people were still living in. On her webpage there is a nice list of organizations that people can donate to which is at least a start. But more importantly I hope that those in power will get things rolling to help bring industry to this area as well as education. There's alot of things the Fed's could do now that the spotlight has been shone on the problem.

I look forward to seeing Kentucky someday and would want to visit Appalachia. I am envious of the openess towards the Christian Faith that I saw on that report,you'll NEVER see that or the friendliness in my part of the US.

Randy

 

18 February 2009 - 11:26am — EELLET

APPALACHIA THROUGH MY OWN EXPERIENCE

As Randy stated above, anyone with common sense should have been able to realize that this program was based on only a few people of the area. My husband and I live in Northern Indiana and are both blessed and fortunate to live in an area with plentiful job opportunities but money dosen't buy you everything in life. That's one thing I've learned from the people of the Appalachian region. Both my husband and I admire all the wonderful and beutiful spirits of so many of these people. There's not a more beutiful place I've seen or visited than up in those mountains. There just something special about the mountains and the people you meet. No matter what, they are the first to offer a smile, the shirt off their backs, a ride into town when broke down or just some good ol' Southern hospitality! There is poverty everywhere in America and I do think it was good to bring light to this matter but I hope there aren't people out there who are that naive to think this is the way everyone is in the mountains. I can tell you first hand these people have hearts of gold, to them it's not all about what they live in or how much money they make. It's about what kind of person they are and how they treat others.

18 February 2009 - 11:54am — Caitlin.Howley

There's your clue

I knew it wasn't going to be good when what is called "abuse" everywhere else in the country was called "incest" in the 20/20 report on (a few areas in) Appalachia.

18 February 2009 - 10:15pm — thecommonwealthky

Where's the context?

By focusing on youth, Ms. Sawyer does offer a compelling angle to explore the effects of poverty. But the program lacked the context that could have put these stories into better perspective. How do the numbers of young people living in poverty in Appalachia compare to other regions of the country (urban and rural)? What makes Appalachian poverty unique? Why after a myriad of social programs and millions of dollars in government aid are the problems there so intractable?

ABC does the young people profiled in the program -- as well as viewers -- a disservice by not showing how these kids fit into a greater picture of poverty in America. By so tightly focusing on central Appalachia, it's easy to dismiss this as an isolated problem in a region usually portrayed by the media as backward and hopeless.

20 February 2009 - 8:09pm — AppalMtnMan

20/20 Program on Appalachia

Dear ABC Correspondents:
 
I watched your special on Appalachia with great interest. My interest was heightened by my being reared and educated in the Johnson County Schools - an alumni of Flat Gap Elementary and Johnson Central High School (1974). As a result - I wanted to share some "perspective" on the regions culture. Poverty has existed since the Creation of man. It is a "predicament" not a "problem". As such, we adjust to and adapt to predicaments. Conversely, we try to solve problems. What the 20/20 program illustrated was a predicament............... which is present in every state and city in America.
 
I grew up during the "War on Poverty" and witnessed its benefits and its failures. Isolation is long held excuse - which had merit at one time - but not now given the expansive road network built in the past 15 years.
 
I remember the days when the first of "public assistance" programs under the Great Society were established as "work" programs - they were known as "The Neighborhood Youth Corps" or NYC - targeting young persons between 16 years of age and 20 years of age - who may have dropped out of school and had not sufficiently developed or learned a skill or trade. Most often they were employed by government entities and acquired those skills. Another type program which was in operation about the same time which was geared toward adults who were unemployed - or not employable due to a lack of marketable skills. This was known as the "Happy Pappy" program. I'm sure there was an official government name - but I  don't recall it. The point being, those individuals who participated were paid a "public assistance" wage in exchange for their labor. They often worked for agencies like the Community Action Council, Parks, Forestry, Highways, and School districts just to name a few. These programs allowed the recipients to maintain their "esteem" and work ethic.
 
When I reached driving age (1972) and needed money to operate my vehicle, I got a job at one of the local IGA grocery stores - part-time - while attending high school. What I come to realize was a growing number of persons who became part of the public assistance program and the benefits they received. Benefit payments were generally distributed on or about the 1st of every month. This became a time I dreaded as a grocery carry-out worker. Families armed with "food stamps" would conduct their shopping and frequently arrive at the check-out with two or three carts of food. I also learned that "food stamps" would not pay for tobacco products or pet foods. So the remedy for that dilemma was the purchase Star-Kist tuna (if they had cats) and hamburger or steaks (if they had dogs). Tobacco money was garnered from selling the USDA Food Commodity products such as cheese (known as "Government Cheese") for $5.00 per box, or peanut butter, or whatever was being distributed to those who "qualified" as recipients. Subsequently, that money could also be diverted to the purchase of alcoholic beverages as well.
 
What transpired from that point was a further deterioration of the "work ethic" and the desire to "get on the draw" ( a phrase commonly used for those developing a condition which qualified them for public assistance and thereby receive a monthly check - or - draw). All this occurred during one of the biggest coal booms in history amid the Middle East oil embargo when crude oil and gasoline became scarce in the mid 1970's.
 
The point to be made here is that what was most likely designed as a "helping hand" to those less fortunate - became a "way of life". Many elements of society have helped to create this - chief among them, the federal government and a cadre of attorneys - specializing in "workers compensation or disability" - creating a "dependent society. Unfortunately, it has  become generational and cultural.
 
The 20/20 program spoke about the absence of jobs in the region and the comments from some of the interviewees of their lack of employment opportunity. There is some merit to this - but needs to be put into perspective. If you have ever watched the documentary "Harlan County USA", it fairly chronicles the coal industry in Appalachia during the turn of the 20h century up to the date of production (1975?). Unionization of the coal fields was a necessary endeavor during those years due to working conditions and safety issues and therefore the mountains have generally been union sympathizers. The creation of OSHA, the US Department of Labor and other federal statutory acts have all but negated the need for unions - except for the need of unions to continue to collect union dues (I refer you to the UAW and the current auto industry bailout). During my lifetime, there have been several companies which have located in Appalachia bringing many moderate to high paying jobs. However, it seems without fail that within the early life of the company or industry efforts to unionize were attempted and often achieved. Moreover, it wasn't long until the employees were out on "strike" due to some reason and the company decided to close their operation and relocate to a more friendly work climate.
 
As time progressed toward the present day, illegal activity continued to flourish. Historically, the manufacture of alcohol in the form known as "moonshine" became a trade and illegal means of income in the 1920's to about the 1980's. It was later replaced by the sale of distilled spirits illegally in "dry counties or jurisdictions" where the citizens had voted to prohibit the sale of alcohol. However, the influence of television, education and "enlightenment" have changed the perspective on the beliefs of the evils of alcohol and more counties have voted to allow legal sales. The illegal sale has been replaced by illegal drugs - marijuana growth and now prescription drugs. The issues the program raised are further exacerbated by the infiltration of illegal drugs in the "economic fabric" of society. I point this out because the outrage that once existed among the "good people" - business owners, civic leaders, etc. - have become more tolerated because the money made from illegal drugs buy automobiles, homes, appliances and all the goods one who works at a legal / legitimate job would purchase for their respective standard of living. I highlight this for the following reasons; first, the federal government helps to subsidize this through their disability programs. By definition, alcohol and drug abuse addictions are "disabilities" and entitle a person to receive benefits which includes a "medical card". Therefore, medical cards are used for health care to include pharmaceuticals or prescription drugs. If the recipient desires, they can get many prescriptions - with the help of Doctors - take some medication for themselves and sell the remainder. Until there is an overhaul of the disability definitions and accompanying programs - there is not likely any remedy for the drug epidemic anytime soon.
 
If you apply the information in the previous paragraph to work force and job development issues raised by the 20/20 program, two immediately come to mind. First it reiterates the comment by one of the regions largest employers that a capable work force is difficult to find because "they can't pass a drug test". Secondly, and more complex, it will be extremely difficult for any industry, group, movement, or the government to convince a community of persons who sell Oxycontin pills for $1.00 /mg ( or their drug of choice) to quit their occupation as a "street pharmacist" making $100,000.00 + a year while working less than 40 hours in exchange for a job paying $20.00/hour and work 40 hours. ( which equates to about $40,000.00/yr.)  Is there any wonder employers have to "import" laborers from Mexico to handle the tasks performed by our own citizens just a couple of decades ago?
 
I share this information not because I was offended of how Ms. Sawyer portrayed the region or how the show was produced - but to add perspective. More money and more aid will by itself will not solve the problem. It will require a "change of heart" - and that is a Spiritual matter brought about only by the teachings of the Bible. A holistic approach is required.
 
It makes folks from California and New York city feel good about themselves when they contribute to the solution and I suppose that is alright. But the issues brought out in the 20/20 program exist in about every inner-city in the United States at a much worse level. I have experienced the sights of homelessness (we don't see that in Appalachia) and panhandling from beggars. At least the mountain folk have not declined to that lifestyle yet.
 
As for me I am proud to have grown up in rural America - Appalachia Kentucky. I value the work ethic instilled in me by my family and the character which they and the community helped me develop. I pray the restoration of those values in the future generations.
 
FOOTNOTE: Flat Gap is not a hollow (pronounced Holler). A hollow is akin to a cul-de-sac for city folks reading this. Flat Gap has a thriving Elementary School (established in 1927-the high school was consolidated at Johnson Central in 1968), a post office, a store, churches and Elmon Davis's pond where everyone used to be Baptized.
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those 
who are willing to work and give to those who would not. 
Thomas Jefferson
25 February 2009 - 1:11pm — BrendaMarie81

Comparing the Poverty

The 6th Congressional District in the state of Kentucky (in East Kentucky) has a poverty rate that is the greatest in the United States, and is higher than the poverty rate in the country of China and the (very urban) city of Mexico City. The drug abuse in Appalachia is a problem, and it is one that rivals larger cities.  Yes, it is a problems elsewhere.  But, it is also a problem in Coal Country.  Up to 20% of housing in some parts of Eastern Kentucky are considered substandard, with no running water or plumbing.  And HOMELESSNESS IS A PROBLEM IN APPALACHIA.  However, the homeless in the mountains live in quarters with other family members instead of on the street.  That is why we see 8, 10, 12 people in a dwelling that was problem meant for 4-6 people at most.  The people there just have nowhere else to go. I work with missions in the Appalachia area, and have seen this reality time and again.  I get so tired of people's pride allowing them to turn a blind eye to the poverty in their own backyard.  It is there, it is a problem, and it's not going away!

 

When they started their report 20/20 stated that the poverty we were viewing represented a quarter of the people living in the Central Appalachia region.  So, no, we were not led to believe that the report was a reprentative picture of life in Eastern Kentucky.  But it is a reality for far too many people living in the hills.

 

My family is from Eastern Kentucky, and I was born in West Liberty, KY (Morgan County) and lived in White Oak until I was 7.  Then, we moved to Louisville, Ky. The reason we left: my mother wanted us in better schools, and my father got tired of the union/non-union unrest in the coal mines within which he worked for years.  We still go back from time-to-time, and this is still a part of the state that is home to a very precious part of my heart.  However, I do not blind myself to the problems of Appalachia by stating that it is better somewhere else (the city), or point to the prosperious areas of the region and turn a blind eye to the devastating poverty that is indoctrinated to SOME in the area.  I ultimately went into missions in this area because what was said earlier about bringing a change of heart-- hope-- to the area resided in my heart.  This was my home growing up, and I understand why my parents left.  However, I feel like it is unconsciable for me to do nothing for people in my home state who really need that help and that hope to be given to them.

 

Yes, there are more far-reaching issues that need to be addressed.  I hope that at some point this is given to the American people.  I feel like I am doing all that I can do, and one thing I refuse to do is to stick my head in the sand and pretend (for whatever reasons that be) there is no problem.

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