Under the constant scrutiny of many trying to get information on her mother, Deborah questioned Skloot as to who was paying her to write the book and how much would Deborah get paid for helping in the writing process. Skloot told her that no one was paying her and the only way she was able to pay for her research was with “student loans and credit cards” (Skloot, 2010, p.251). Deborah asked how much money she would get in return because many others had offered her money for things as simple as a picture of Henrietta. Deborah never obliged to the offers because she wanted more and the publishers wouldn’t give her more than their asking price. Since Skloot was already struggling to pay the book, she wouldn’t be able to pay Deborah for all the information she gave Skloot. Yet Skloot promised that if the book did become published she would set up a “scholarships fund for descendants of Henrietta” (Skloot, 2010, p.251). There were days where Deborah enjoyed the idea and truly believed that Skloot would set up a fund. But there were also days where Deborah would cut of Skloot because she started to believe that Skloot was lying and was using her for information. When this happened Skloot had to promise multiple times that her plan was going to be executed when the book was to get published.
To add on to what Cassandra said about the constant scrutiny that Deborah had tot go through, she was approached by many random people in need of information about her mother. In one example, she was called up by a strange man that warned her of people trying to look for Henrietta’s grave to “steal her bones” (Skloot, 2010, p. 250) since any part of Henrietta was so valuable to the science world and he also warned her from talking to any “white people about her story” (Skloot, 2010, p. 250). Her brother Lawrence also added to her discrepancy of white people because he too did not trust anyone after believing his mother had been robbed of her cells. Because of incidents such as these, Deborah had become very paranoid at any idea concerning her mother, so when Skloot explained to Deborah her financial plans for the book, Deborah often found it hard to believe her.
Deborah was never able to fully grasp the help that would come from the Henrietta Lacks Foundation. On May 21, 2009, after multiple unanswered calls, Skloot decide to call Sonny who then told her that Deborah had died in her sleep after a heart attack. Deborah died happy knowing that many of her grandchildren were working to get a better future. Deborah died without reading Skloot’s book or witnessing Skloot’s promise become a reality. The foundation was established before Skloot published her book. Since being founded the Henrietta Lacks foundation “has awarded 42 grants” (Henrietta Lacks Foundation 2015). The main purpose for the foundation is to financially support those who have contributed to research without personally benefiting” (Henrietta Lacks Foundation, 2015).
Under the constant scrutiny of many trying to get information on her mother, Deborah questioned Skloot as to who was paying her to write the book and how much would Deborah get paid for helping in the writing process. Skloot told her that no one was paying her and the only way she was able to pay for her research was with “student loans and credit cards” (Skloot, 2010, p.251). Deborah asked how much money she would get in return because many others had offered her money for things as simple as a picture of Henrietta. Deborah never obliged to the offers because she wanted more and the publishers wouldn’t give her more than their asking price. Since Skloot was already struggling to pay the book, she wouldn’t be able to pay Deborah for all the information she gave Skloot. Yet Skloot promised that if the book did become published she would set up a “scholarships fund for descendants of Henrietta” (Skloot, 2010, p.251). There were days where Deborah enjoyed the idea and truly believed that Skloot would set up a fund. But there were also days where Deborah would cut of Skloot because she started to believe that Skloot was lying and was using her for information. When this happened Skloot had to promise multiple times that her plan was going to be executed when the book was to get published.
ReplyDeleteTo add on to what Cassandra said about the constant scrutiny that Deborah had tot go through, she was approached by many random people in need of information about her mother. In one example, she was called up by a strange man that warned her of people trying to look for Henrietta’s grave to “steal her bones” (Skloot, 2010, p. 250) since any part of Henrietta was so valuable to the science world and he also warned her from talking to any “white people about her story” (Skloot, 2010, p. 250). Her brother Lawrence also added to her discrepancy of white people because he too did not trust anyone after believing his mother had been robbed of her cells. Because of incidents such as these, Deborah had become very paranoid at any idea concerning her mother, so when Skloot explained to Deborah her financial plans for the book, Deborah often found it hard to believe her.
DeleteHi Cassandra, was Deborah ever able to realize the help that came from Skloot's promise of what would happen if she published the book?
DeleteDeborah was never able to fully grasp the help that would come from the Henrietta Lacks Foundation. On May 21, 2009, after multiple unanswered calls, Skloot decide to call Sonny who then told her that Deborah had died in her sleep after a heart attack. Deborah died happy knowing that many of her grandchildren were working to get a better future. Deborah died without reading Skloot’s book or witnessing Skloot’s promise become a reality. The foundation was established before Skloot published her book. Since being founded the Henrietta Lacks foundation “has awarded 42 grants” (Henrietta Lacks Foundation 2015). The main purpose for the foundation is to financially support those who have contributed to
ReplyDeleteresearch without personally benefiting” (Henrietta Lacks Foundation, 2015).