A tough situation
6:02 pm, May 17, 08 by jonesdaily
I have probably mentioned this story to a couple of people, but we finally ran it today. This is 71-year-old Kitty Rowell who now lives out of her car after her home burned down in December.
It’s a situation no one has been able, or willing, to fix. But it seems like something is definitely wrong here.
When another reporter mentioned this story to me she said it would be a chance to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Though I doubt anyone is comfortable with this situation.
Hopefully something will work out.
I interviewed her at her property this week where she keeps her stuff in a broken RV and sleeps in her car because the city does not allow people to live in RVs within city limits. It was pissing rain through the whole interview.
Above is a photo of Rowell I liked that didn’t make the paper.
Nice job on this. Hopefully it will inspire someone to help.
I got one call from a woman who wanted to help. Maybe more later, who knows?
And thanks.
Did you see her home before it burned down? There is a reason that it happened. The fire dept. had issued warnings to her and the city has been trying to deal with her for years. Sometimes we create our own situations. But, that doesn’t mean we don’t help and feel sympathy for people when bad things happen. I hope she is able to get the help, and allow others to help her in a way that will make her life better.
This is a really nice piece. “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” is my favorite quote about journalism (and was my news editor wall quote) so I’m really happy you chose to describe this story with it.
I think the story struck a good balance of presenting a bad situation without being too moralistic or sentimental. To be honest, it didn’t really make me feel sorry for her. But it would make me feel bad about ignoring the situation if I were living next door.
I think the risk of going about journalism from the “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” standpoint is writing to manipulate rather than just tell the story, and I don’t think this one crossed that line.
Thanks for the feedback. Rowell has moved her trailers out to Grayland (on the coast south of Westport) for either a change of scenery or a break from the city or both.
Take care.