MovieChat Forums > LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton (2001) Discussion > Update On The Family

Update On The Family

posted 18 years ago by nsw30291
11 replies | jump to latest

I wrote to hbo and after sending about 10 messages someone finally wrote me back. I asked them if it would be possible to do and update on the family and a woman wrote back stating it would take a lot of time to do that since they have other projects underway. But she stated that maybe I could help out if their were enough people as interested in the matter as we are and write or e-mail them until they finally do something about it. I figure If we send enough mail in about that family they may just do that.

[–] jeromewilson-wilson 18 years ago

Hello.....my name is Jerome and I love showing this film to my African American Literature class. I, too, would love to know what happened to the family. I live in Memphis, and live just a few minutes away from Carver High School, the school that Granny attended. I will help you anyway possible.

Jerome
[email protected]

[–] mary-571 17 years ago

Jerome,

I found a 2002 update on the family that said that Granny had finally been able to move back to Memphis to go to high school and Main and Redman were still living with Lalee and were doing much better in school. Also, at the time, a local charity had gotten Lalee's utilities turned on for her and she had been receiving some financial support as a result of the publicity from the film.

Mary

[–] ramone711 17 years ago

HBO was too busy to answer? How much money did they make on this film, a copy of which is available for a mere $149.00?

After seeing the film, I was extremely upset that children couldn't go to school because they didn't have enough money to buy 2 pencils. I contacted the school district and, as a lawyer, they asked me if I could do anything about them being able to show the film and charge a fee for fund raising.

In addition to not having pencils, there is a group of nuns in the community that tried to set up athletic programs, but there was a limited enrollment because the kids (and adults) didn't own socks or tee shirts, which are required to participate, and also a knitting group, but they could not afford thread. This is America.

Unfortuntely, the participants did not negotiate a percentage of the profits or reserve any rights to the film. As such, any attempt to play the film for money runs afoul of various copywriting laws. The irony of a film about the exploitation of the poor by HBO, who exploited the poor, is dispictable.

No wonder HBO is to busy to repy to any requests about an update about the partipants. Scamming the helpless is a full time job.

[–] tstephney2 16 years ago

prehapes we couse set up a care package to send them school supplies on an as needed basis or as much as one could afford to do.

[–] sheilaserio 15 years ago

she lived in the same area as me.

Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008
Laura Lee Wallace, 70, of Webb died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola.
Funeral arrangements will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Church of God In Christ in Glendora with Elder Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Black Bayou Cemetery in Glendora.
Visitation was from 2-6 p.m. today at Byas Funeral Home in Ruleville.
She is survived by two sons, Eddie Lee Wallace of Glendora and Eddie Reed Wallace of Charleston; six daughters, Delois Reese of Arkon, Ohio, Aretha Smith of Indianola, Aileen Wallace of Batesville and Linda Wallace, Jenette Wallace and Geneva Wallace, all of Webb; three brothers, Joseph Thomas of Charleston, George Tyler of Webb and Mose Tyler of Arkon, Ohio; three sisters, Odessa Wise of Chicago and Ida Mae Thomas and Willie Bell Tyler, both of Glendora; 34 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

[–] tripplesix 15 years ago

wow!
thanks for that info.!
that's sad to know but, i mean, i guess she lived a long life... considering...
there is nothing more i can say.

[–] quembel 15 years ago

I have seen the film twice and it made a real impression on me. I was truly upset to hear she had died. I hope things are going better for her family.

You are not a human being, Lola, you are an epidemic.

[–] rubyer 12 years ago

I am truly sadden to know that Ms. Laura Lee Wallace passed away. I had been haunted by this story ever since HBO showed it and I am sorry that she had to endure such hardship before anyone could really help her and the Carver School in their small area. Ms. Wallace was a lady who seem to do what she had to work with in raising her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in such "despicable" conditions. This is America, and no person, no child should have to live this way nor should we have forgotten what it is like to be one who was or is without! I applaud her for doing all that she could and trying her best to come out of poverty, however, HBO did not help! Why! It seems as though they would have given information at the end of the documentary wherein people who watched this "poverty living" could donate, contribute or even help the school children and the school! At the time she was living, this woman needed help badly, but there was no place where contributions could be sent or how we could visit as missionaries as the nuns did, but we were not "afforded" that opportunity by HBO to even know how we, as a people, could help. I see that the nuns came to try and help the school, but the children did not have the essential clothing or equipment needed for them to get all the children involved in what they were trying to do! HBO, according to your terms and conditions in regards to contracts or documentary, you could have offered "willingly" to Ms. Wallace and her family and the school, along with the community,even from the support of the award that you won for this documentary. There should have been some type of "outpouring" of love donations given unto this small community, but you did not "reach" out and do that, BUT YOU DID TELL THE STORY, but how can one help one another if we are told what we (the people of the United States) can do in trying to give to others who are least fortunate as some of us. It is my hope that the children are now getting what they need, not just utilities turned back on, but a decent place to live, a school that is equipped with everything that CARVER SCHOOL NEEDS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE THE COMMUNITY/SCHOOL STANDS AT THIS TIME, HBO, I WOULD BE MORE THAN APPRECIATIVE! If we can come together to help this family as well as other families in that area, PLEASE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME and I WILL DO MY BEST TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS! --RUBYE ARMORER, UPPER MARLBORO, MD

[–] DeerockFLA 8 years ago

I know the post i am responding to was posted almost 5 years ago, but i could not resist. I agree, the conditions of those in the film were horrendous. I just think the blame of the post is misdirected. LaLee apparently received some sort of compensation for the film. HBO had nothing to do with the production. They had broadcast rights. This film was produced by Maysles and Fromke.

Second, the family members would qualify for federal and state welfare programs, just like anybody in a similar situation. Personally, i have strong feelings when it comes to personal responsibility. LaLee had a rough life, but it doesnt mean she had no control over her situation. Considering that she was illiterate, I am sure she understood that she would have very little opportunity in life. When you can not afford one or two children, it would be wise not to have more. On top of that, the children she had simply continued the behavior for another generation. She had about 70 grandchildren and great grand-children combined!

There was a woman here in florida a while back who was dirt poor, living in a run down hotel room with her 13 children. In a news interview she said, annoyed and angrily, "i'm mad at social services. I dont have nothing. I want to know whos gonna give me money to take care of all of my kids!" And guess what? She was pregnant at the time of the interview.

I felt sorry for LaLee, but my compassion is limited for people who take no personal responsibility for the choices they make in life.

The Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla!

[–] rubyer 8 years ago

I would like an update also since I understand that LaLee died. She did her best to raise her children and grandchildren and I received a note from somebody who was less agreeable about the situation. I just wanted to say this, that if anyone has been in poverty or can attest to this woman's plight, PLEASE DO SO WITH YOUR COMMENT, otherwise, what that person wrote to me is of ILL- MALFESANCE! Why try to kick a person when they are trying to do their best. YOU, who wrote me, do not have a chance of knowing what this woman went through and neither do I. Therefore, if you going to talk down to person and about a person, perhaps your life needs to be up for discussion to see what is in your background of HATRED! When I saw this film, I was moved with compassion because there are other LaLee's out there just like this woman. It does not matter what color a person is, everyone at some time has been in despair, unless you are RICH! However, the film is based upon a woman living in abject poverty! If the state would have done better by her, do you think that LaLee's Kin would have been aired? NOPE! People need to show compassion not hatred to one another and the notice I received from a comment some 5 years ago, shows me that bigotry and hatred are very much alive. It is unfortunate that Lalee died, I would have wanted to meet this woman myself, but as time goes on, she did her part and tried to do better. If this place where she and others resided with the ONE school, had been in New York or San Francisco, others might have wanted to do more as well. But it is what it is. PEOPLE HATE FACTS and they think that just because a person is living on food stamps, donations or fundraising that they are just as perfect as they, YOU GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING! I suggest to that person who wrote me to stop with the lunacy of being an IDIOT!

[–] terryrockette 8 years ago

Wow this is amazing to read this comment.
I was born here in Mississippi. A small town where granny and her mother relocated to after Lalee died.
I left in the 90s to create a better life for me as they continue to live in the south. Everyone didn't have family who lived in the north as I do. I was blessed to get out.
I return back to the south due to a calling from God. I worked for several years to open my own art studio . In 2010 I was able to open up my studio on main st. I was told my folk they will not allow me to do that. My question was, who are they ? The white folk here , said my friends and relatives . I had been gone so long I couldn't comprehend the concept of not doing what I have the knowledge to do. Rather than boring you, allow me to move on with the story . That year I had my first stage play production in Oxford ms because I didn't think it would go over well in the small town I live in. After that I had to more open audition that year. Two years later I post open auditions down in the area Lalee lived.
A friend of my told me about this boy who also moved back to Mississippi from Chicago . When the young man walked in, it was Lalee grandson. We laughed, singed, and talked. After the audition he told me about the documentary and how the creators gave his people nothing from all the money they made. He was very upset. Lalee son, which is my friend father wasn't a good reader either and signed their rights away. He asked me will I look at the story and produce a second part. I wasn't to thrill about going back in time do I said I would think about it. After research I told him if we're going to do it, this time it have to be done right. Then I realized we need to raise money for the film. Well here , that didn't go so well . It was placed on hold. He approach me again this year about doing the story to let the people know about red man, granny, and what happen after the grandmother died. Even though it's disturbing to go back there I agreed. So we are in the process of putting fundraisers and campaigns together in order to raise money for this film. If anyone can be of help with camera equipments , lighting, van or RV , donations ect. We will need those things ( preferably an RV) to travel and live in , to cut down on hotel stay and eating out. But we will be greatful for any help.
The family have decide they don't won't any other tv crew involved due to lack of trust and how the family was treated. We are doing everything local and in house. By use doing it local to build up our community and schools we will need outside resources to produce growth in this area .
My name is Rockette and I could be reached at 563/265/2522 for anyone that can help assist us with this project.
Thank you