Not Working

The Pulse of the American Depression

May 18, 2012
by DWGibson
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NOT WORKING on CNN.com

This past Monday, CNN.com featured a gallery of folks from the book.

I wrote to everyone included in the gallery to give them a heads up about the appearance. A few days later I received this very satisfying note from Terry Baseler:

“I actually found out that it had been published yesterday. I received a call from a random person named Steven from Atlanta. He said he saw me on a CNN website and reading my story prompted him to pick up the phone and call. He wanted to tell me that he wished me the best… I was taken by surprise, but it was so heartwarming to hear there are people out there who care. He took the time out of his day to call and tell me that he felt for me!”

An excellent moment born of Terry’s affecting experience — and the openness with which she shared it.

August 8, 2011
by DWGibson
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Roni Chambers

Just talked with some firemen in the city of Camden, New Jersey. This place has the second highest crime rate in the country yet the police and fire departments were just slashed in half. This city presents an intense environment that, in all frankness, I don’t have the ability to process just yet. Since the guys at Ladder 9 have been so helpful and many are willing to let me interview them, I’ve arranged to come back in a couple of weeks and do a big round table discussion at the union hall. The thumbnail of each of their stories is overwhelming, and collectively they are catastrophic.
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August 4, 2011
by DWGibson
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Update from PA

Post-wheel coming off the car, the city of Pittsburgh has been amazing–and not at all what I expected. I’ve always carried some stereotypical image of an industrial, polluted metropolis. And, indeed, some of the lifers shared stories of black skies hovering over scores of steel mills. But those days are long gone – both the mills and the pollution. This is a tremendously beautiful city. Just ask anyone who has emerged from the Fort Pitt tunnel into a picturesque complex of bridges, rivers, and green hills. I highly recommend a visit. (PNC Park is definitely nominated for the most beautiful baseball setting.) I’m happy to have had just a few days here. I hope to make it back some day.

I’ve posted new pictures, including images of several folks I’ve talked to in the last couple of weeks.
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July 26, 2011
by DWGibson
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Randy Badman

A few weeks ago we met Randy Badman in DeWitt, Nebraska. Randy was born and raised in DeWitt, a town of approximately 550. This is where the vise grip wrench was patented in 1924 and manufactured for decades until the local plant was acquired by a large corporation that — surprise, surprise — moved manufacturing abroad.

Randy worked in the factory for over 30 years and was given a security escort out the building on the day he was laid off. Continue Reading →

July 21, 2011
by DWGibson
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St. Louis

We’ve had a whirlwind of a few days here in St. Louis. This city has really shown a ton of support for the Not Working project. It began with my good friend (and all-star journalist) John Tucker who helped put me in touch with some key folks. John does some amazing writing for the River Front Times so I knew he’d be plugged into this city and, indeed, he is. Continue Reading →

July 18, 2011
by DWGibson
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Doug Messenger

Heading to St. Louis tomorrow.

For now, check out a small piece of my conversation with Doug Messenger in West Des Moines, Iowa. He’s a tremendous guy. A draftsman who has been laid off three times in three years. He’s now working a couple of jobs at a hardware store and supermarket. Most definitely one of the hardest working individuals I’ve met.

Onward.

July 14, 2011
by DWGibson
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Overwhelmed in KC

I’m wrapping up in Kansas City, which isn’t easy to say because I certainly feel like I could spend weeks here, interviewing folks who have lost a job in the last several years. We put out a few calls to message boards and job groups and were inundated with responses. (A big thanks to Maureen Reintjes at the Kansas City Metro Networking Job Club for being particularly helpful in spreading the word.)
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