Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPhil
Or she could've gotten pregnant her first semester of college, flunked out, never received a sorority bid, and been considered a social outcast. Who knows and it happens to "the best of them." It's a huge waste because a life was taken, not because she was "really nice and really smart."
I really feel sorry for what happened to this young lady but I really find people's reactions to be interesting. If she had not been a "really nice and really smart" white girl who people thought was pretty, mainstream America wouldn't care so much. They certainly wouldn't be talking about it so much almost 6 years later. Her family would've been struggling to get law enforcement attention, media attention, let alone a Lifetime movie.
I am saying this as someone with experience in victimology. I am responding to what Alumiyum typed and not Alumiyum's tone or what she intended.  |
I graduated high school with Natalee. I didn't know her well, but obviously I am interested in following this case because I remember her. She was a sweet girl, and not everyone is so good natured and friendly in high school. I can say my personal interest/connection is not related to how she looked, what color she was, or what her grades were. If she had been obnoxious, mean, etc. maybe I wouldn't be as sympathetic or still care after almost 6 years, I don't know. If I hadn't known her at all, I probably wouldn't still follow the case. But I did, and it does matter to me that she gets remembered as being a nice person, simply because she was.
To me, it is a waste that Joran is alive and well, even if he is in jail, and she is not. Especially considering that he not only ruined Natalee's and Stephany Flores's family, but his own. I feel really sorry for his mother and brother.
ETA: I'm sure the fact that she was cute, blond, white, smart, nice, etc. helped her get the media coverage she did. We see that same pattern in the news all the time. The fact that she disappeared in a tropical location on a trip to celebrate high school graduation after achieving above a 4.0 makes a sellable story. But her family did make enormous efforts to make sure she wasn't forgotten before the story blew up.
Threaded Mode