Stephanie Land on Being a Maid and the American Dream

[@Humbirdhippo5475]

As a black woman, I appreciate that you recognize the disparities- but your story absolutely matters and is inspiring many that they can not only survive, but thrive!

[@giovannivita8680]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@trevar101]

As ANY WOMAN***

[@caseylynn5976]

Thank you for saying this, this was exactly my thought too🤎🤍💛🖤🌈✌️

[@Humbirdhippo5475]

@@caseylynn5976🙏🏽🥰

[@City2x]

She is an inspiration to me. That series opened my eyes, my heart, and I'm not going to complain anymore.

[@vornamenachname5912]

that story IS about starting to complain about circumstances and starting to understand, that the system is wrong. Dont get it wrong! Start asking questions and demant a seurity System, wherer no mother with a kid has to be homepless unless she want to.

[@jillhopson2275]

Not an inspiration. When she moved to Missoula she by her own admission was promiscuous and got pregnant. Her food stamps were reduced because her daughter turned 6, so conveniently she fell pregnant after her “hot girl summer” as she referred to it. During her time in Missoula she showed little discretion in the care of her daughter, leaving her with the various men she was seeing. This is just a manipulative entitled woman.

[@annewhelan857]

Omg... "Rich people make decisions for poor people" that hit me hard

[@00calimon]

make decisions not just for poor people, but the poor people who have worked hard to help them advance and maintain being rich. disgusting. I mostly blame an overly capitalistic society. After all, why would the maid company, for example, pay her for showing up to a client's house to clean, but the client forgot? Or why would employees not be allowed to work over 30 hours? It's all capitalism - maximizing profit at any cost (in this case, the employee's livelihood).

[@justtubingby8342]

Just now? Where have you been living?

[@bjsf24]

@@justtubingby8342 yeah like no kidding

[@chumark54]

Also, men make decisions for women.

[@mszee4515]

I cried many times in between the episodes. The woman is such an inspiration.

[@sjohnson9403]

A poor mom is more clever with cash than a congressman.

[@Theshark15z]

Because a congressman or congresswoman is not spending their own money.

[@AsNatureIntended13]

i wanna say to her: your story really matters, too !

[@Irachild]

I love how she shed some light on ppl dealing not only with poverty and abuse but systematic racism as well 🤍 she is seen and heard

[@biancamichelle11]

She knows her story matters. Her memoir didn’t become a bestseller because nobody cares about it. It’s become her life purpose.

[@maudeboggins9834]

I was glued. In fact I binged watched the show. A very very brave courageous woman.

[@turnne]

The fact that she speaks her truth and identifies that she was more fortunate than women of color in her situation is powerful

[@ToosieJoie1]

What does color have to do with. Get rid of that crutch. Any person can be in this position.

[@spacemermaid1111]

@@ToosieJoie1exactly. Like if a black person went through this exact situation it would be equal. They make it seem like just being black is such a struggle. Love your skin regardless. Such an irrelevant detail

[@supasuprodchinda1350]

It’s actually sad. She negates her own story because society told her that being white is easy 😊

[@deeshan9844]

Stephanie, your story is amazing and you're an incredible woman. I've always admired all of the domestic workers across the world (there are many in Asia too who work for pennies on the dollar). It's an incredibly difficult job and all for the sake of providing for someone else...your child or family. And I can't imagine how immensely proud your daughter will be of you when she's older.

[@Tia.K.C]

Being a cleaner is very humbling and yes demeaning. I finally got out of it, along with the growth of my self-esteem. Thankfully, we had some great clients but it's no long term career unless you're running the business. A lot of the woman I work with were in a place of survival, had low self-esteem, and were just trying to do something with their life while feeling lost. But once you decide you deserve better grab it and dont look back. Thank you for your story ❤

[@grizzlybear4]

I cleaned in hospitals and home health situations. Worst bosses on earth. Hospital officials won't bother to look at the janitors being their very fragile link to a safe patient environment and freedom from MRSA... and nowadays, worse viruses and bacteria. Bottom line comes before patient safety in the places I worked.

[@jacquelineleitch7050]

The first few years that I did it, were horrible. The boredom and the conceit from clients was pretty awful. I changed clientele until I had clients who were left wing and intellectual enough to see me. The work is hard and I will never have another job again so have had to take that as my gym. I have had to create a place that accepts me. I also charge far far above the minimum wage. Feminism is about never demeaning what was traditionally unpaid labour, so I have moved that forward. A lot of women who clean have been doing this lately. I don't get benefits or retirement so the compensation has to be real. Yes also to universal income.

[@kathymawer9295]

And unless you have been there, you just don't get it. If you have SOME money but are not rich, and can still go buy things you need, or if you have a car and a phone and a washing machine and a dryer and family and a bed, you just don't get what the problem could possibly be. People see people pan for a few dollars here and there and those people that don't get it say-"sure they probably go down the road to a swanky house and this is their second job"! and drive on. Stephanie Land deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for opening the eyes of people who can change this! Her Netflix series the MAID and her story is terrific! Thank you Stephanie.

[@lisas2538]

“Rich people in America make decisions for poor people, how would they even know…..” So true. Think about the Senators and Congressman that have bought their way into politics. Some are worth hundreds of millions. They have no idea what struggle and hardship are.

[@meaganvalenti2946]

We have identical stories. I thought netflix found my diary and published it..

[@mmichy]

I literally just finished watching the final episode. Fantastic series simply because it unapologetically tells a very common and overlooked story. This was so eye opening for me on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your story to shed light on these important issues and to educate others. I will truly never be the same.

[@andreahorn9808]

I’ll never ever forget who was there for me and my children and who made me and my children forget even for if just for a moment that we did matter. Love and blessings ❤️

[@sw-vd9kk]

Here after the Netflix series..

[@lilychats5317]

I'm currently watching Maid and discussing it with my daughter. We just watched and discussed the first episode. I hope we can both continue on our healing journey. I hope sharing our talks will help others as well.

[@betsymaher9489]

I am near the end of your book and love it. One thing it does is make me think harder about the precariousness of the situation I'm in right now and appreciate the things I do have. Your book is very well written too. Thanks for writing it.

[@deborahhattel351]

Everything she says is absolutely true. If you do not understand, thank your lucky stars. I do not wish systemic poverty on anyone. It's absolutely heartbreaking. Peace, Love & a living wage to everyone.

[@yasminbeatricebahaoui4697]

Her story is something i can't even explain. Thank you❤️

[@marilynolson7877]

You story is so inspiring. You say things that happen in real life. I work so hard at my current job and I make minimum wage.

[@mrtjf]

I've just finished watching the series, never have I seen something that made me feel continually stressed and anxious. But shows a person resilient and determined. Many people are not aware of the strength they hold as they have not been faced with challenges such as this. I watched Toll.the end wanting to see her come out on top, amazed after all her work to suddenly find herself back to sqare one. Makes me realise how very lucky I am, she is speaking for many people who can relate to this situation who have no voice. Truly inspirational.

[@shaunamurray8501]

Thanks for sharing your story, its so important. Its shocking that people can be paid so little, and that mothers of babies, with one of the most important jobs in the world, are so undervalued that there is no real social security in the US. I have worked as a cleaner, kitchenhand etc in a few countries while travelling, and I never experienced it as demeaning. I was treated respectfully and I enjoyed the job. It seems that the US has an entrenched class system where some feel entitled to pay others poorly and treat them so disrespectfully.

[@naturegirl2110]

Anyone in a service job in the US is treated and paid this way.

[@petejohnson6570]

It's true. How many rich people actually do all the work that make them rich. Most of them say they have done it all by themselves. IMPOSSIBLE!

[@grizzlybear4]

Someone gives them money, they get giant tax breaks off our taxes, and their money makes money... they don't do much at all. Parasites.

[@Tessy29k]

How much money someone has, has never been about who "deserves" to have it the most. It's about how what you do impacts society on a global scale. The more what you do affects the masses the more power and money you have. A random single mother cleaner sadly isn't going to have the same influence.

[@migz9932]

I know a guy who did it all by themselves and had to go as far as hiding their cereal in their bedroom cupboard so that he would have food as a kid. Even dropped out of school. His father was abusive trash. His mom a mouse due to years of abuse. Self taught himself coding. After his first job bought a car in cash within 6 months... A year later moved into his first flat. Slept on cardboard boxes... Had a cooler box as a fridge. Bought top quality appliances one at a time.. fwd three years.. owned three cars , one a sports car... So yes you can make it on your own. If your extremely talented and strike it lucky. He had no help in life from parents. No real guidance. Not even schooling. Did it on his own. Sad part... he is also a narcassitic like his father 😒 Hence broke off contact.

[@ANonyMouse627]

​​@@Tessy29kThat's not true. Just because you have a billion dollars doesn't mean you made 1 billion x more impact that someone who made $1. The idea that the money you have is directly tied to your talent or impact is complete BS

[@KaptainKKD]

I wholeheartedly believe in Universal Basic Income. No one should start out with nothing. Heck, even the board game Monopoly has you starting out with some cash.

[@grizzlybear4]

So true!

[@bjsf24]

Hell I had a good chuckle reading your comment 🤣

[@Tamarahope77]

The minimum wage is too low in US. In the Maid series, she is prepared to work for $15 an hour. That should be illegal.

[@justtubingby8342]

I'm so happy she was healthy and strong enough to pull herself out.

[@mirandagustafson25]

Stephanie your story is sooo incredibly inspiring. I'm so serious. I am SO impressed with the human and the mom that you are.

[@nellie...]

Inspiring story thank Stephanie for sharing.

[@niluferwajeeh4352]

Congratulations on your success in life. You are an inspiration.

[@stanman1985]

What a beautiful person. Amen

[@stephaniesmith5974]

That Netflix series gripped me. Stephanie had such Perseverance. Now that she has spelled it all out for us literally, change needs to occur. I can relate to some of her story being a single mom. Hard times and it’s scary out there. Good for her!

[@Lainababy1_]

Dear Sarah, thank you ❤️

[@stephaniebryant1856]

Not finished with the book yet, but due to my own intrenchment with poverty, I have not.experienced many amenities the past 5 years, to include "TV" or Net Flix. That said, this is the first time I stumbled upon Stephanie's Story- and at the public library. Very affirming and eye opening book, so far. What a vessel this woman is with her courage and drive to share her testimony. Keep it up...

[@terryrogers6407]

Stephanie you did work hard and you did make it!

[@JudahMarley]

Stephanie my new hero.!!!! Run for office please. You get it.💜🙏💜💜

[@chloeyellow5914]

I worked as a housekeeper for a motel in small town USA when I was 18. I lasted two weeks. I still have vivid memories of those days.

[@jewelminor5526]

Eye opener!!!

[@flaviadocurasdocuras8529]

Amei a série, emocionada com sua história, e feliz pela sua garra e coragem, Deus a abençoe 🙏👏👏👏👏👏💕

[@beandipp79]

"you had the power all along" Dorothy's red shoes. and Land did have it, she just had to realize it. No one will ever take that lesson away from her character. and now she can share her story and help others.

[@TheLachmichschlapp]

brave wonderful person🌸

[@cmst6408]

great person, book and series. Thanks for bringing to attention the working poor, how hard it is for families and even more so people in dv sitations and who have been homeless. I hope and will push for more for the poor & help. Have worked to try help some many with housing & food, is a major crisis and supports could make the economy and nation better. thank you

[@susanhogg8423]

The best thing ive see in a long time

[@cindycoblentz827]

I was in this same position. I started cleaning because I DIDN’T want a minimum wage job. 14 years later I’m turning my business over to a woman who recently got out of prison. I don’t know why she felt so demeaned cleaning. I loved the freedom. My cleaning business helped me pull myself out of poverty. It was a gift.

[@psyhologchirievaaas]

Thank you for your book dear Stephanie! and the series they are popular in Russia! And translated into Russian Good luck to you!

[@melyeend]

What an icon!

[@mistieblue9]

Domestic violence’s are very destructive! Panic attack is the result of all the stress living in hard time all the time!

[@noisette82kapo49]

Exactly. So what about the idea of developing some kind of proper social system in the U.S.? It's unbelievable that the American "dream" exists only for the strong and healthy.

[@grizzlybear4]

We keep being blocked by corrupt politicians, Mitch McConnell being the most obvious one. This country is a sewer of corruption.

[@bjsf24]

Socialism really? Maybe you need to look into how corrupt and horrible Socialist countries are experiencing specially with the lower classes. You really think that the wealthy will just hand over thier wealth to the lower classes because hay its only right and they should be able to have money too. NOOOO YOU IDIOT! Just like capitalism countries the rich will find ways to bribe government to make laws to help the rich stay rich. The hell with everyone else that have to live hand to mouth b/ç let's face it being poor in America is alot better with capitalism than being poor in a communist country.

[@noisette82kapo49]

@@bjsf24 I'm not even talking about communism (which never worked in history, you're right with that). However, there's a huge spectrum between communism and what you have in the U. S... I live in Central Europe, we do have a functional social system. Things like this would just not be possible here, because even in the worst situation people, especially single mothers ,receive enough money to eat, live and send their kids to daycare/school for free. Being rich or poor also doesn't make any difference in your medical care, only on a very high level (you might not get a single bedroom in hospital if you have no money, BUT you get the exact same treatment as everyone else without paying anything. ,Everyone has proper health assurance, no exception. And yes, we do pay taxes to make this possible and I'm very OK with that.

[@JaneA544]

@@noisette82kapo49 the minute you say this to a certain class of American they equate it with communism, they dont understand the difference between a social contract and communist propaganda

[@noisette82kapo49]

@@JaneA544 that's an interesting argument.. Those are really two different world views. On the one side the idea that you can reach everything and have a great life if you only work hard enough. On the other side: isn't it an indication of the morality and ethic standard of a community how you treat your weakest, those you can't /won't work hard or have less possibilities? If you don't give them a sufficient level of security, noone benifits from their misery.

[@Spiritfba]

As an independent cleaner, I just want to make everyone aware that cleaners are not cheap. These ladies may be making $11/hr but the company is charging the client $45/hr. So please don’t expect to pay your independent housecleaner $11/hr. I charge flat rates that generally come out to around $30-$40/hr. Also, the show was a bit misleading about how much is expected for a 3-hour clean. If you pay for 3 hours no one can accomplish dishes, laundry, windows, scrubbing baseboards, inside the oven, inside the fridge, etc. That’s impossible and no cleaner is going to do that in 3 hours unless you live in a tiny house. Those are extra services or deep clean services which cost more.

[@chumark54]

Listen to what she says here. IT IS IMPORTANT.

[@janespitfire9884]

Yup lot of people been going thru this.. most do not care

[@annwe6]

America: where poverty erases your human rights, and wealth and privilege buys them

[@crazypets676]

If you are talking about Central and South America too, I agree!

[@marcgw496]

I’m pretty sure almost every country is that way, if not all lol.

[@Marisaferreira122]

Thank you for sharing your history, and woman across the world is my mum history as well but in Portugal. Thanks 🙏🏾

[@BrutAmerica]

Thanks for watching!

[@marshamagic8551]

I read this book years ago.

[@georgeconroy9908]

The movie Nomads has opened up for some real American stories.

[@nikkigussalazar5005]

Please READ HER BOOK BOT JUST THE NETFLIX SHOW! Believe me I'm probably the number one fan of Netflix maid. Legit wat h a few episodes a day. From the story to where it was filmed I just cannot explain how the show just makes me feel. I just finished the book and it cannot compare. The book is amazing! Already pre-ordered the sequel, class!

[@codacreator6162]

We do a really great job in the US of devaluing human beings and stripping the dignity from jobs we consider menial. It’s a form of social Darwinism where the more fortunate justify their good fortune citing their own industry, talent, worthiness. But it’s not. There are so many factors involved in the outcome of life achievements that it’s ridiculous. UBI would reset the bottom from zero, so that a crash doesn’t mean destitution. Rich people need to keep poor people poor to justify their wealth and standing. If poor is the fault of the poor, wealth is the result of personal achievement. And that may have been true at the dollars for labor level 50 years ago, but it has NEVER been true at the level of windfall or legacy wealth. Elon Musk came from a family who owns an emerald mine. He took degrees in the Ivy League and was enrolled in a PhD program at Stanford when he quit education (after taking 2 master’s degrees) and he goes about the country telling young people they don’t need a college education. It’s infuriating. When will we learn to stop idolizing wealth as if it is evidence of intelligence or wisdom? It’s not. Great wealth is only ever evidence of effective exploitation of others and the successful avoidance of tax liabilities. So they cheat their employees and squelch on their bills and we elevate them to the status of saviors. If ever there was a more messed up social order in history, I don’t know when. We confuse envy of the lifestyle with admiration for achievement and engage ourselves in the endless search for the path to obscene wealth, completely disregarding the lunacy of those who’ve achieved it. Listen to them. They’re deluded beyond recovery. Jeff Bezos’ trip to space in the middle of a global pandemic where twice as many families are facing homelessnesses than in the 2008 real estate debacle is the 21st century equivalent of, “ Let them eat cake.” He’s a heartless goofball who made money in business. He was as lucky as he was smart, but fails to acknowledge luck or good fortune had anything to do with it. But the BS stories of coming to America with nothing and making a fortune are worn out, overused, and finally getting to the point where they can be debunked once and for all. In every single case, these American Dreamers had a benefactor, an opportunity, a boost at just the right time that made it possible. Every. Single. Time.

[@grizzlybear4]

THANK YOU.

[@bjsf24]

Well said 👏 👌 finally someone with an original thought.

[@Spiritfba]

To the wealthy, “starting from the bottom” means growing up on the golf course, attending private school, a new car given to them in high school, being on their parents healthcare plan until 25, and their education paid for.

[@tiadavenport5465]

It would have been great to see her in the series as one of the people Alex met. Having rich people play a role they know nothing about is good acting, but they don't get it.

[@grannygoes7882]

I loved "the maid" but I'm here to tell you poverty is color blind. Doesn't matter what color your skin is, if you're poor, you're poor. Not all white people are privileged. My ancestors came here from Ireland because they were starving and they came here legally through Ellis Island and no one would hire the "dirty irish." I really wish we could stop with all this racism stuff. It's not like it use to be where blacks went to the back of the bus. White people elected a black man to be their president twice. This story would be exactly the same no matter what race the maid was. I was poor for many years. Me and my four kids actually lived in a motel for a year. We made it though. Wish I'd written a book! lol!

[@Spiritfba]

I disagree. I’m a white housekeeper in the south and I’m 100% certain many of my clients would not have hired me, or would expect lower rates, if I was black or hispanic. Privilege is not special treatment, it’s the absence of additional obstacles.

[@peterbigblock]

I understand it’s a caricature, but people who take themselves and their wealth so seriously are sickening.

[@PeachesCourage]

What bothers me about Americans and the way we live is the Narcissistic way we live too? The class system itself is narcissistic and money or the people have real problems are over there in another country? You send money to them because you have a conscience and all of it the way of the narcissist or pattern. We need change she's right we need to look from the outside of ourselves in and quite being narcissists echo you know?

[@zinamonou4797]

This last phrase is quite concerning. Poverty in a wealthy natiin is systemic despite who is experiencing it. I totally understand that Black people have it really bad in the western white societies but when poverty hits everyone is invisible. I don't see how being on food stamps and living in a rotting place is privilege just because you're white. I haven't read the book but in the series I found it demoralising that it was the "fairy god mother" that allowed for a change in circumstances. I will read the book

[@Wewereneveryoung]

🤦🏾‍♀️

[@zinamonou4797]

@@alegriart The Rich enabler. The woman who was awful to start with but then took her by the hand. I am not saying that she didn't fight to achieve what she did but perhaps she would have fought harder or maybe wouldn't even made it without this support. I wonder if this was just in the series and not in real life

[@sjohnson9403]

MAID is an important piece. There could be groups made around the idea of helping women navigate what resources there are?

[@Drhousemd51]

Let me preface my one criticism of Stephanie's point here on the ' American dream' by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed her memior as well as the netflix adaptation. I also agree with the points of class disparity and privilege that create an uneven playing field that the simple "Work hard and you will be successful" nonsense that the American dream promotes. However what she doesn't address, atleast in this video, is the magnitude of choices and how they effect in the trajectory of your life. While often people are left with few options based on circumstances, Stephanie's situation seemed to be the result of an unplanned pregnancy while having no support system. While I'm not some crazy religious nut who will say this is what she gets, stuff happens in life, but it illustrates the point that her life may of been different if she made different choices. Our lives are very much the result of upbringing, privilege, and education...but equally, if not more, due to choices as well. Shes also the perfect example of taking her difficult situation and making the choice to better her life. She worked hard, got an education, bet on herself and her talents as a writer and seized opportunities. Was she fortunate in some respects? Maybe. But also don't discount her incredible drive and the correct choices she made moving forward.

[@Tonystarkes888]

is the netflix series based on this lady

[@DrewRueDoo]

Yes, it is. It's about e memoir she wrote about her life.

[@jafhio2284]

Amazing book

[@geraldinelouque329]

Not only in the US ...

[@HLB512]

Does this happen in other countries? Or mainly in the USA?

[@migz9932]

I left my country with a black eye. There was NO help for woman, police dont even care, won't help either. There are No shelters for abused woman, no food coupons.. no help. Not even unemployment money. My X has even emptied my bank account. Can't do anything but hope I get refunded because broke my hand saving his life as he was drunk and vomited and choked on his own vomit and now I need whatever money I can get so I can fix my hand. If I had the amount of help she got, I would not be worse off in Europe. I would not have had to lose the few things I owned and moved entire countries. Now I'm in Europe and nobody wants to hire me as my hand is damaged and I don't speak any EU language. I worked 12-20 hour days!!! Nobody gives a chance, not even in Europe. I actually hate the fact she talks about privilege and then makes it about race. You can suffer just as bad no matter your culture nor your skin.

[@anastasia10017]

Rich people just tell poor people to work harder. get a third job.

[@Carakidd]

Take the job and accept the wage that will never cover housing, just to get approved for the housing.

[@grizzlybear4]

Similar story here. No way out. This country tossed me out.

[@joeybaren4105]

I work a maid job and i hate it and it makes me hate people. I clean these people's houses who have a huge list of demands. I myself live in public housing which is riddled with rodents because it's all I can afford. Sometimes thinking about how this lady was upset about a small spot on her floor that might've ruined a party she can afford to have while I'm in public housing with rodents makes me feel horrible. The fact that none of those people would ever care is worse. Like its just okay that they can be divas having a party and I can have rodents makes me upset. The owner of my company makes somewhere between 10-20x the amount I do. He has yelled at me to my face for minor infractions. My direct team leaders yell at me in my face all day about any and all small independent moves I make which makes me very anxious. We have a company policy where we are supposed to move and dust every single item in a house. We are also supposed to do it in an hour and forty five minutes which is physically impossible. This just results in the team leads yelling in my face more often. My boss out of desperation started hiring illegal immigrants who hate seeing me work there because they think it's a threat to their job security because I have proper ID. Certain coworkers have made up things that I did wrong to report to the boss. It's all around awful.

[@smashregister]

I watched the Netflix series and was kind of repulsed by her story - many bad decisions, many actions taken that compounded her misfortune -- but I felt this segment was very true! We need more POC speaking out about how the lower classes are exploited by the monied classes.

[@DavidJohnson-dp4vv]

You should read the book. You'd be even more repulsed when you realize she quit her job at a coffee shop to work as a maid, she willingly barely worked a lot of the time, blew money a ring when she could've spend on her kid. Then she moved with some man into his trailer (that had mold issues) she continued to refuse to work while he worked 14 hours a day and she would complain that he didn't take out the trash when he got off work. This man took care of child that wasn't his then she broke up with him and he still financially contributed to her daughter. Land is trash.

[@Tessy29k]

She made a lot of bad decisions. A lot of people do and it hurts us to to be called out on them but this is human nature

[@pbtraveler694]

You say you "grew up in privilege". Clearly you didn't take advantage of it. You made other choices. I grew up in a similar situation and went to college but worked jobs all the way through---including cleaning houses and offices, among many, many other jobs. Sometimes I didn't know if I would have enough to eat that week. My background didn't "set me up for life." I chose to make the most of it and work hard along the way to make up for what that background couldn't pay for. I didn't look at any of my jobs as demeaning, but many of them spurred me on to finish school and get a job that I wanted. People make their choices and there are sometimes difficult consequences that you have to contend with. The conclusions you draw are from a false premise and sadly too many people buy into them. Own your choices, and move forward.

[@jonieevangelista]

generally the Domestic Helper's in the Philippines who works in other countries gets worse treatment than that. Being a non white people...they are treated worse than their white counterparts. I grew up hearing true stories about that. I am a Filipino btw.

[@melissapeek2999]

OMG THATS MY FRIENDS MOM OMG OMG OMG OMG

[@inaned]

I liked the show tremendously! All the sadness just hit me hard, I wanted to literally kill all that made her life so miserable, and hug all that tried to help. Something in the reasoning is missing though. Her initial choice to stay with the abusive partner was a very, very bad decision. Imagine how this story could have evolved had this choice been different….One can only speculate, but I feel this book and film would not exist.

[@leonardohunt2359]

Understand when your lively hood depends on someone else, and yourself esteem has been broken you sometimes don't see a way out. Also look at how bad her support systems were.

[@patrickmccormack4318]

People do what they do, but they are not necessarily cognizant of what they are. To be human, that is basis for good story telling. When I learned that I was not a person but a human, that bit of learning changed my life. NOTE: Corporations and other institutional organizations are considered PEOPLE. Really, that is government legislation. Go look it up, Citizens' United says so. "It's an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem." - Douglas Adams Who am I? I am not only human, but a passenger on Spaceship Earth. All humans are passengers of Spaceship Earth. Institutional organizations...are not. They, institutional organizations, are fixtures. Do we have time for anguish? Answer: Sure we do. Between the moments of uncomfortableness, we enjoy those events that bring to us both fun and games. SHINY Quando, quando, quando by Engelbert Humperdinck Stardust by Ian Brown Hold On by YES BTW: Vote yes for Universal Basic Income.

[@amc5926]

her life is a series of bad decisions. and as usual, there is something that isn't being told here. for example, why did her family not "help her out" - why did the ex-father of her children not be held responsible for contributing to raising the children? why did she have a second child when she couldnt even support herself? minimum wage was designed for highschool kids and part time jobs. it is not, and never should be thought of as a "living wage". get over your poverty privilege. lastly, knowing how things "could be" and what poverty "could be like" can be understood easily: its called critical thinking. I dont have to be poor to know it'd suck ergo i work very hard NOT to be poor.

[@siiiriously3226]

universal basic income & eat the rich.

[@iammeallday]

I understand the presence of having a person of color, but the story for me is that poverty is a human struggle, race does not exempt you from it- saying i am a white educated woman and i lived in poverty for me helps with connecting this need for law and policies around access to healthcare, education, living wadging and voting rights that ensure that policies are passed are a human necessity for survival...You being white didnt keep you from being poor...polorizing dialogue around race keeps poverty as black and brown faces and that is not true but by keeping that narrative then we dont see this as a humanitarian crisis then we cant fight the systems that keep people in proverty because of the polarization creates a racial divide on the issue.

[@mytravls]

Well. She made a book out of her experience which has been others’ experience so far and those people just keep working and are invisible. Nothing new here other than Netflix picked it up.

[@haydeecolon7868]

Well, I think that she made mistakes like we, as humans, do. She is so brave to expose her mistakes in a book. I admire her for that.

[@phalexxxx]

She needs to run for local office

[@ruty9999]

She was probably suffering at that time but I also think that some things are exagerated by Netflix. I do not work as a cleaner but in customer service and I also had hard times in my life and times in which I had to battle very seriously to have a job and therefore have money .. so I think that to talk about these issues it's very important but at the same time fiction needs to be treated with as much reality as possible , specially with these matters.

[@naturegirl2110]

Those who have lived it know

[@raymondmiller5098]

I fully agree with your points. Politically, however, poor people in the US: 1) don't vote in large numbers, and, b) they don't vote "their economic interests" (i.e., they vote GOP - if they vote at all).

[@jackxiao9702]

I disagree with UBI, and unlimited welfare has done a lot of damage, I agree with Bill Clinton and that Republican congress passing welfare reform. But we do need national health care.

[@safetygirl53]

That is your opinion re UBI but research (albeit limited) has shown consistently that there is a positive effect on the economy in addition to an improvement in human lives.

[@soffvassy]

but she is literally a proof of the american dream - she worked hard and now she has it?

[@ledagg5190]

@Soff Vassy She has it now not by only just working hard, but with the help of governement programmes like homeless shelter, housing program, job program etc. All the social services are definitely not the american dream of just stupidly working hard. Her story shows that you need help in many ways if you have nothing.

[@00calimon]

@Soff Vassey, I concur with Ada's response. Plus, Stephanie Land (the author) herself even admits she had greater privilege than her house-cleaning peers, because she was white and came from a middle class family. She knows many who would never have made it out like she had simply because of their ethnicity and family's lower economic status.

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

I love the Netflix series but I read her mother and father were barely in the book plus she says here the boyfriend kicked her out and she had a little money whereas in the series she leaves with nothing couple of times after abuse and him not wanting her to leave. Also, she says that all poor people work hard, now, come on, would you not say this is a bit of a generalization? I’ve had no money and worked with poor people and many barely put any effort into their jobs. There are wealthy people who are lazy and don’t work hard, same goes for poor people. My dead ex-husband grew up in abject poverty in Maine on welfare and said most of the poor people he knew were jilting the system and refused to work. How much of this film is actually factual? And how much of it is to get people to watch and to create conflict and drama and pull on our heartstrings? Great acting and writing, though. 🤷🏿‍♀️ 🎭

[@adreanaheavenholland]

Anytime a real story is portrayed on screen, there are always bits and pieces changed for the sake of TV. This is the case with pretty much any “based on a true story” series or movie.

[@marymartin1106]

Glad you said that, i enjoyed the series but then i googled the real person and frankly she really doesn't come across all that well. This book seems to have been made into a series because she's pushing the victim mentality in fashion these days. The fact she wants sympathy for herself yet displays none for her clients is jarring.

[@annewhelan857]

Omg these comments are exactly what is wrong with our society

[@isabel-db6jd]

Exactly what I thought after watching the Netflix show!! It glamorizes and idealizes the working poor and creates an incredibly sympathetic character. Like most Hollywood creations, it is a far cry from reality. The actress couldn't possibly represent the actual author, let alone the typical poor single mom. No, poor people in the U.S. are not the hardest working people. Yes, some work hard, but most have made many poor life choices and limited their own options. Often, they get a rough start and a raw deal because of the family circumstances they were born into, but I'm betting that only about 5% of the working poor are as respectable, well-spoken, mature, thoughtful, and considerate as the fictional character in the Netflix show. She always said the right things, never behaved irrationally, was wise beyond her years 100% of the time with her mom, and suffered only because of tough breaks, bad luck that happened to her, or people like her boyfriend behaving badly, never because of a bad choice that she had made personally. This series was made by screenwriters and directors who have never lived with actual, real-life poor people. After having lived in "poor people" apartment complexes in Florida, Alabama, and Washington state, I can honestly say that I have NEVER met a poor person who even remotely resembles Alex, but I have met MANY single moms who are brash, rude, lazy, foul, drunk, drug-addicted, thieving, lying, immature, welfare moochers. This Netflix series is propaganda to make people think that morons like AOC are out there doing God's work. It does not present a fair picture of the reality of socioeconomic classes. If I had not had any real-world life experiences myself, I would eat this up and join the millions of moronic sheep on Twitter calling for socialism. Minimum wage jobs are not intended to support families. If your very best option in life is a minimum wage job for 40 hours a week or fewer, PLEASE do not procreate. PLEASE. We need to advocate for personal responsibility, not for more government welfare.

[@sufficientgrace1692]

My daughter has a similar story. People like her ARE the physically hard working poor. It’s almost impossible for her to get out of poverty because she’s working so hard, single parenting, with an auto-immune disease. She has no time or energy to climb up that very steep hill. However, I do agree with you that there are many who game the system who are making it even more difficult for people like my daughter. It’s a very complicated and tough topic with no easy answer.

[@Goodtogo4567]

I am so glad you had your baby, and that you percevered. Having said that, you are conveniently glossing over one thing. Had you waited to become sexually involved with your boyfriend until you were married, you would have seen his abusive behavior well ahead of time. Behavior like that cannot be hidden for long. Then you would not have been a single mom. This is not said with malice, just stating a fact. Living together before marriage often comes with more problems than we anticipate. Sorry you had to go through this, but I don't think socialism is the answer to dangerous choices. Socialism has never worked

[@banirahman4926]

What a stupid comment! Even after marriage a husband can be abusive. As if after marriage women don’t face abuse. Also, if what she is asking for is socialism then all the developed countries in the world like the Scandinavian countries and Japan have socialism. Having certain benefits for the vulnerable citizens is not socialism, it’s what all developed countries have for their citizens.

[@Goodtogo4567]

@@banirahman4926 it's at least partially true. When you date platonically over the course of several months, you are more likely to see bad behavior and are more equiped to act on your own behalf. Ever know a woman who has marginalized abuse because she is already too committed? I have known several. As for my socialism comment, the USA has so many safety nets for the poor... Food stamps, housing ECT. I'm all for helping the poor. We have had to accept help but just for a short while. I know how hard it is, but so is being a tax payer, which I am. We all need to take responsibility.

[@bjsf24]

@@Goodtogo4567 absolutely well said 👏 when I went through nursing school I had to take government grants and also a little assistance to help me out with paying for college and also living expenses. However I made it through

[@Goodtogo4567]

@@bjsf24 thank you

[@Goodtogo4567]

@@bjsf24 and thank you being a nurse!

[@alezandradavila2581]

It’s awful

[@nathanielsmith4041]

I have been experiencing this my whole life? Why do people listen to you?

[@judyheller8814]

This woman comes across to me as entitled. She made some choices that led to her own suffering and wants people like me to feel sorry for her. Not only that but also fund her life dreams of being a writer. Why look for a better paying job or full time work when she can sell her sob story for more money? Notice how she fails to mention that government programs helped pay for her college. She just complains that she did not get enough help and needs more. I am sorry something about this story seems a little off. Some things don't add up. I don't believe anyone is that unlucky.

[@garypollio4960]

come back and comment after your boyfriend or husband beats the hell out of you and threatens your and your child's life. You seem defective because you lack any compassion.

[@Valley_Girl]

I was going to buy the book until you kept talking about your privilege and systemic racism. You're basically saying that because you're white, your story doesn't count? We should hear more stories like this from people who count? What nonsense.

[@nkeen2008]

Maid comes to your house for a job and instead leaves rags/dirty foot prints on the carpet. You obviously file a complaint to the agency. She later becomes famous and comes out on social media to say how she found it terribly demeaning when you filed a complaint about her sloppiness!

[@jackxiao9702]

forgetting a rag is a small thing. dirty footprints is worth complaining about, but she could mean it's an imprint on a carpet. I can't imagine a professional cleaning service is not using foot coverings

[@DavidJohnson-dp4vv]

@@jackxiao9702 Read the book. Trust me on this Stephanie Land was incredibly disrespectful to so many people and she made mistakes that she would never own up to. The fact is any man that was with her who she broke up with dodged a bullet.