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| Sonny Lacks and Rebecca Skloot at the University of Delaware |
Do you see any similarity between the way she has benefitted from the Lackses and the way others have benefitted economically from Henrietta Lacks’s cells? Skloot tells Deborah that she is willing to create a college scholarship fund for Deborah’s children, but she “couldn’t pay for her story” (251). Although she doesn’t give her reasons why, we can assume that one of the reasons might be that doing so would violate her professional code of ethics as a journalist. Do you think Skloot should feel at all troubled by the fact that she used the struggles of the Lacks family to attain great personal success for herself (even if that her primary motive was not selfish)? What, if anything, does she owe the Lacks family now that the book has been published?
If I were Skloot and I witnessed the struggles of that family and I became such close friends with them like she did I would have given them money to pay for Deborahs funeral, at least buy her a proper tombstone. She sat with Deborah and the family as they cried and panicked over others making money off of their family while they lived in poverty. I'm a giver, but anyone should want to help that family after seeing the life struggles they encountered.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Hicks
Skloot not giving them any money besides the scholarship fund is kind of a low blow. Deborah's ultimate desire was to find out who her mother was and she got that wish granted; but I agree with Morgan. Skloot could have given them money some way, some how so she didn't violate the "code of journalists". Maybe not give it directly, but some way. I understand her wanting to be professional in the matter but based on the book, the Lacks family was desperate.
ReplyDeleteI think she owes them indescribable gratitude and thanks; because of the family's difficult decision to be open with her, she accomplished a great thing and is able to make a living off of it. Hopefully she is providing for them, other than the scholarship fund, under the table or in some secret way.
Chelsi Norris
There are parallels between Skloot and others who have profited from the Lacks family. Skloot did, however, give the family much credit in the book, though she didn't offer as generous a gift monetarily. I agree with both Morgan and Chelsi. There must be some way for Skloot to give back to the Lacks family in addition to the scholarship fund. While Deborah wanted her family to learn about Henrietta and get a quality education, it seems to me that there is more that could be done to better their lives. I think that Skloot was generous in providing the scholarship fund and founding the Henrietta Lacks Foundation. Perhaps some of the proceeds of the book should support medical care for those who cannot afford it such as the Lackses.
ReplyDeleteEmily Davis
I do see how many could accuss Skloot of taking advantage of the family, or going against her own moral code by bringing in such tremendous amounts of money off her book. I do not however, believe that she owes the family anything for doing so. One important factor to take in mind is how Deborah and the others decided to let her know so much. They willingly gave her the information she needed to write her book. The family could have turned her away like they had many others before. Skloot simply appealed to the family and in doing so was rewarded with her book and what it has brought her.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think Skloot could have given more than just the scholarship fund. Her success has more than likely brought her enough fortune that she could easily share with the family that is the reason for her fame. They didn’t have to open up to her, but they chose to. Yes, because they chose to it doesn’t necessarily mean that Skloot is obligated to help them out, but they allowed her to get close to them. After learning so much about their family and all the hardships they have went through you would think someone that close would be more willing to help out. It seems like in a way they were starting to accept her as someone important in their family. She was someone they could trust and someone who was going to tell their story correctly. They didn’t have to let her into their lives. I’m sure Skloot could have found a way to give more to the Lacks family without breaking the professional code of ethics.
ReplyDeleteI don't really believe Skloot owes the Lack's anything necessarily. I think it's pretty evident throughout the book that she gave them the best gift that she could, and that was an explanation to what happened to their mother. I won't say whether or not Skloot's motives may have been selfish, because I really don't know. I also won't say if she should do more for them. I kind of agree with Micheal though, she really technically doesn't owe them anything. I think the scholarship fund was more from the goodness in her heart than out of obligation. It's her choice what she wants to do with her money. If the Lack's family really was interested in making money they could tell their story themselves in "public speaking engagements", but thats clearly not what they're interested in.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing Skloot with representatives of the Lacks family in Little Rock, did your view of her relationship to them change at all?
ReplyDeleteMy view of their relationship did change quite a bit actually. It sounds silly to say, but the biggest change is that the relationship became a more real thing to me. Just reading books you imagine the relationships only as the author depicts them for you, but that doesnt compare at all to seeing these "characters" interact and laugh together 20 feet infront of you. Seeing them in person also made me realize how much they have invested in each other. It's clear that their relationship is not just one of the interviewer and the subject, like one might suppose from the book, but one based on friendship and very heavily on trust. I didn't see any of these things to the extent that they actually are from just reading the book.
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