Comments on: Divided We Stand: The tale of Ella and May as seen from the 32nd floor

By: AAP

AAP — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:41:37 +0000

Keep it coming Shearer…

By: AAP

AAP — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:41:07 +0000

Interesting article….Perfect example of figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another

By: Lillian Combs

Lillian Combs — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:04:11 +0000

Maybe Justin, Donald, Cuddy, Yvonne, and Michael should have written the story!

By: Michael Millius

Michael Millius — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:55:13 +0000

Spot on Mr. Shearer. A to the bone story of how, in reality, the much vaunted concept of the Trickle Down Economy turned out to be ‘Trickle Down this’. How could readers not get this simple tale? Curious, but I’d say the above criticisms actually seem suspect in their far reaching ardor

By: Yvonne Johnson

Yvonne Johnson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:21:19 +0000

Interesting story — a tongue in cheek reminder of how money and success can corrupt ones entire being, no matter what color you are –as well as a stark reminder that the enemy is not just the rich and unconcerned republican white. That busybody in the White House is working for the “forgotten” as well — this article points out to us how we too can be our own worst enemy. If you don’t get it — then perhaps you need to check your values.

But then, of course, what can we expect, look at the flack Bill Cosby got when he spoke the God Given Truth.

By: Val Tag

Val Tag — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:28:51 +0000

This is such a waste of space. Why not have a fictionalized conversation that makes a real point with more than stock, stereotypical figures using TV sitcom blurb like comments. Come on you are a far better venue than what this post suggests. Live up to your potential!

By: S.Cuddy

S.Cuddy — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:41:29 +0000

It is quite clear that the writer is being satirical. The ridiculousness of Miss Ella’s actions and comments can certainly be compared to the attitude and actions of many of her “current” Greenwich neighbors. The story should make you consider the “values” that many American’s deem appropriate which clearly are not.

By: Donald Bain

Donald Bain — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:07:34 +0000

I don’t understand the negative reaction to John Shearer’s piece. I don’t believe it has anything to do with race or racial stereotypes. The two women could just as easily be white, Hispanic, or Asian. What came through is a deft poking of holes into how we, as Americans, have allowed greed to overshadow common sense when it comes to finances. I found the piece insightful and delivering the truth. In short, I liked it a lot.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:05:05 +0000

Have we all forgotten Jonathan Swift so soon. No, there really weren’t any Brobdingnagians or Lilliputians and Blefuscudians. There weren’t any Laputans, either. They were just constructs for the sake of political satire, as were May and Miss Ella. Perhaps you felt this piece was too broadly cast. Well, that’s literature for ya. Everyone’s style and taste is different. But if you don’t get it…no need to flaunt it in public. And the “me too” nature of the posts almost makes one feel they were written with the same pen! Is there no originality in outrage? Perhaps before posting it would be good to take a step back and see the whole picture, and then take Janice’s advice, and get an editor.

By: Louise Landry

Louise Landry — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:50:38 +0000

I love this story and I would love to read more like it…. How can anyone not see that this was satire.. Keep it up.

By: Janice

Janice — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:11:18 +0000

This guy needs an editor.

By: hblue

hblue — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:53:15 +0000

Well done, sir! At first I was confused then after rereading the story I had myself a good chuckle! Ella, 60 and single, spent her early years in Greenwich Connecticut and was a runner up in the Miss Black America beauty pageant. Precious! Mr. Liddy must be an also ran in the Mr. Universe pageant

By: The Whackness

The Whackness — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:25:09 +0000

Hooked on phonics did not work for the person(s) above. This oozes in satire.

By: jgreen

jgreen — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:33:56 +0000

I find this piece extremely insulting. I come from a rich heritage of industrious black women. My mother cleaned houses for many years until she recieved her degree from FIT and opened her own business. It is obvious to me that Mr. Shearer’s exposure to positive images toward black women is limited. I am appalled that an organization with a stellar history of advocacy for all americans especially black americans would publish such a horrendous piece; especially during women’s month. There should a piece that is celebratory of black women.

A disappointed reader!!!

By: N Davis

N Davis — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:28:34 +0000

I agree with K Quinn. I enjoy the pieces on this site. They are usually fun, controversial and insightful. They make me laugh and some of them I don’t always agree with but because they are so well written they make me think more deeply. But when I saw this story about Ella and May I didn’t know what to think. I got past the first two paragraphs and thought what is this #$%^? There are already too many stories in the media that degrade black women and to come to this site and read about some toothless gangbanger with five baby daddies cleaning offices just doesn’t do it for me. I expect more from LDF. It is a proud organization and garbage like this dishonors a very proud tradition.

Neena Davis

By: JW

JW — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:15:51 +0000

How did this article get through? It does not match the quality of work that I’m accustomed to reading on this site. I did not understand the point, nor did I like the tone.

By: K Quinn

K Quinn — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:14:29 +0000

I really like thedefendersonline and look forward to its well-written stories, but I do not understand this post. I find it really offensive. What kind of conversation is this? Ella and May are both such stereotypical caricatures of Black women. The clueless bourgeois and the gangbanger with kids by multiple men-give me a break. Was this supposed to be a witty commentary on the current economic crisis? It failed. Was it supposed to tell us something about class divisions in our community? Failed.Heat in the classrooms? What? The Legal Defense Fund has such a great history and I’m not sure that this story does it “justice.” I like controversial stories, and it looks like this one was trying to get there…but it didn’t.

By: Daron

Daron — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:16:27 +0000

I don’t get it. Mr. Shearer what is the point of your story? Is it fiction or truth? Ella and May come from different worlds but I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to take away from this.