For this blog post, I am reimagining the events of “The Semplica-Girl Diaries” from the perspective of
Betty (Filipina), who is one of the SGs.
Betty (Filipina), who is one of the SGs.
September 21st
First day on the job. Pretty scared. So much emotion before this moment. Sold myself weeks ago to
give family money. Family lived with four others and could not afford to get own house. Sad for little
brother: why I’m doing this. So talented with computers, need to give him opportunity to be successful.
give family money. Family lived with four others and could not afford to get own house. Sad for little
brother: why I’m doing this. So talented with computers, need to give him opportunity to be successful.
Arrived at place with microline already strung through. Procedure wasn’t too painful; was asleep the
whole time. Wearing white smocks. Upon arrival, pretty confusing. Yard didn’t match the house at all
and looked fresh. Had roses, a fountain, and a path. The house was obviously middle class. Not very big
or decorative. Recently renovated? Two other SGs with me: Tami and Gwen. Anyways, doctor hoists us
up three feet in the air. Had to be in character and smile. Felt very awkward, just swaying in the air, but
needed to be done. Family needs money
whole time. Wearing white smocks. Upon arrival, pretty confusing. Yard didn’t match the house at all
and looked fresh. Had roses, a fountain, and a path. The house was obviously middle class. Not very big
or decorative. Recently renovated? Two other SGs with me: Tami and Gwen. Anyways, doctor hoists us
up three feet in the air. Had to be in character and smile. Felt very awkward, just swaying in the air, but
needed to be done. Family needs money
Day gets more interesting, thankfully. Father (?) of household (seems nice: waved at us earlier) goes to
pick up kids. Mom decorating. Food comes: BBQ (?) not too familiar with American culture. Then many
kids arrive, must be a birthday party. Birthday girl seems happy. Some very expensive gifts exchanged.
Wish I had that money. One girl, younger sister of birthday girl, looked upset. Seemed horrified when
she saw me. Why? Am I ugly? Maybe realizes how strange and wrong SGs are. Doubtful: she is too
young to understand.
pick up kids. Mom decorating. Food comes: BBQ (?) not too familiar with American culture. Then many
kids arrive, must be a birthday party. Birthday girl seems happy. Some very expensive gifts exchanged.
Wish I had that money. One girl, younger sister of birthday girl, looked upset. Seemed horrified when
she saw me. Why? Am I ugly? Maybe realizes how strange and wrong SGs are. Doubtful: she is too
young to understand.
September 25th
Crazy thing happened last night.
Before then, nothing happened since party. Quite boring just hanging up here. Family seems quite
normal.Everyone looks happy, except for the upset girl. Deduced that she is upset about us. Parents
seemed to try to talk to her. Didn’t really work
normal.Everyone looks happy, except for the upset girl. Deduced that she is upset about us. Parents
seemed to try to talk to her. Didn’t really work
Am grateful though. Upset girl freed us.
Last night, she brought out a step-ladder. Girl so small she could barely carry it. Had to drag it on
the ground. Seemed like eternity, but she eventually released the two levers holding us up. Dropped
down onto the ground. Wire still connected us. Could not go in separate directions, would cause brain
damage. Talked about where to go. Heard about activist groups nearby, possibly provide us with help
and take wire out. Needed to move fast, cannot afford to be caught.
the ground. Seemed like eternity, but she eventually released the two levers holding us up. Dropped
down onto the ground. Wire still connected us. Could not go in separate directions, would cause brain
damage. Talked about where to go. Heard about activist groups nearby, possibly provide us with help
and take wire out. Needed to move fast, cannot afford to be caught.
With goal of finding an activist group, we headed off into the night.
Cannot believe was about to spend 21 more months like that.
Wow, I really liked how you wrote your blog post. The day-by-day style and short sentences captures the robotic-like actions of the SGs described in the actual short story. Most of the information we get on the SGs comes from the short paragraph from the quick interview. So, the fact you've managed to tie all the gaps the story had with a reasonable course of events is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis was very impressive, everything from the mirroring of the original language to the time stamps. But despite all that, what I liked the most was taking the perspective of one of the Semplica Girls. We had several debates in class about whether their role was ethical, moral, etc, but we never considered their perspective. In a small group discussion, a few of us agreed that the Semplica Girls willingly subjected themselves in such a way, but couldn't really think after they were hung up.
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