Tammy's Story - People Like Us episode #5

Summary

The transcript follows Tammy Crabtree, a struggling single mother in a small Ohio town. Embarrassed by her living conditions, she expresses her frustration over the state of her home, her strained relationship with her mother, and the judgment she faces from others. Despite working hard at Burger King and walking over ten miles to work, she feels judged by her community and even her children. Her son distances himself due to their socioeconomic status, while she dreams of improving her life, aspiring to attend college and provide a better future for her children.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker feels embarrassed about their living situation, including the condition of their trailer and yard, and is hesitant to let friends know where they live.
• 😊 Despite the issues with their living space, the speaker and their mother both like living there.
• 😕 The speaker appreciates that someone helps clean the house while they work, but dislikes it when things are moved out of place.
• 😟 The speaker avoids introducing their mother to people due to concerns about her appearance, feeling that people judge more by looks than by character.
• 🏚️ The living space, including the kitchen, lacks essentials like a furnace, and there is a lot of junk around, which is difficult to organize.
• 😒 The speaker and their mother argue frequently about cleaning and responsibilities, with the speaker expressing frustration about their mother's laziness.
• 👷 The speaker's father worked hard for 27 years, and the speaker is proud of him and wants to make him proud by working and providing for their own children.
• 🚶 The speaker walks over 10 miles to work at Burger King because they don’t have a car or a driver's license, and they feel judged by others for their circumstances.
• 🎓 The speaker dreams of going to college and becoming a school teacher, despite criticism from friends who think they should stay home and rely on welfare.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker feels a divide between themselves and their children, and their son acts as though he's better than the rest of the family due to his appearance and lifestyle.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel embarrassed about where they live?

The speaker feels embarrassed about living in a trailer with a messy yard, which they worry will be judged by others, particularly their friends.

How does the speaker feel about their mother's appearance?

The speaker feels embarrassed about their mother's appearance because she doesn't 'fix herself up,' which the speaker believes people judge more than behavior.

What is the relationship between the speaker and their mother like?

The speaker and their mother have a tense relationship, arguing frequently. The speaker criticizes their mother for not helping clean or straighten up, while the mother suggests moving as a solution.

What does the speaker appreciate about their partner?

The speaker appreciates that their partner helps clean the house while they are at work, although they dislike when things are moved and can't be found later.

What is the speaker's current job and how do they feel about it?

The speaker works at Burger King and expresses pride in working to make a living for their family, despite the challenges they face.

Why does the speaker walk to work, and what reactions do they receive from others?

The speaker walks 10.5 miles to work because they don’t have a car or a driver’s license. They feel mistreated by others, who mock them by calling them 'trashy.'

What are the speaker's aspirations for the future?

The speaker hopes to go to college to become a schoolteacher, a goal they've had since they were five years old.

How does the speaker's son view them, and what impact does this have on the family dynamic?

The speaker's son sees himself as 'high class' and better than the rest of the family, particularly criticizing the speaker's work uniform and distancing himself from his brother.

How does the speaker's other son feel about his brother, and what does he aspire to be like?

The other son wishes to be more popular like his brother. He wants to go to college, possibly to become a lawyer or study architectural design.

What are some of the challenges the speaker faces with their car?

The speaker's car has wiring issues that prevent them from using the lights, and they also need new tires. They're trying to get it fixed so they can use it for transportation.