If you've heard of Diane Tran, you've probably been outraged on behalf of the high school honors student sentenced to jailtime for missing too much school. The 11th grader has been working two jobs to help support her family, often leaving her too tired to make it to high school on time. I felt bad for her too. Until today.
It turns out the national outrage has fueled a fundraising campaign to the tune of $100,000. That filled me up with happy thoughts, until I heard Tran had refused to take the money.
I'm sorry, what did she do? And where, exactly, are these girl's parents?
Her refusal is kind of heartwarming and nice. The hard-working honors student said that there are other kids who could use the money more than she can. Probably. But the short-sightedness shows she needs an adult to step in and make this decision for her.
The reason we all felt so strongly about helping Diane Tran in the first place is because she has been missing school to do something her parents should be taking care of. No kid should have that kind of burden on her shoulders, and we were angry at the judge, but angry too at a society that makes a child a breadwinner. Now she is being given a chance to help support her family without having to miss school. It's righting a societal wrong.
And by refusing it, frankly, Diane Tran is allowing herself to be victimized again. She's no longer the poor kid who had no choice about her rough lot in life. She's a 17-year-old who is telling society to take a hike, she'd rather screw up on her own. Her parents should be out there telling her NOT to do that.
You can call it admirable that a kid wants to work hard and do it all herself. But sadly, we've seen she can't do it all. And we were angry that she was being expected to. But if Diane Tran doesn't accept a way out, doesn't take advantage of the chance to better her situation, frankly our anger on this kid's behalf is a big, fat waste of time.
Either she legitimately needs to be out of school to work her butt off, or she really could get her butt to class because she doesn't need money that badly. There isn't room for martyrdom when your future is on the line.
What do you think of Diane Tran refusing to take the money? Here's more on her case:
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Comments 22
Granted, like some of your posters have stated, it could be that she is from a different culture as well, but I am just saying that there could be sooooooo many reasons for her to not take that money.
Judge failed in his duty to advocate for the powerless. Diane was in a dire situation. Her character makes the judge look small.
She may stun the world again as she may turn down the money donations because she thinks other kids are more needy. The fact that she is considering to turn down this large some of money for someone who works two jobs with low-wages to support her siblings, speaks high volume of her character.
Diane has not given any interviews yet. She is not someone who likes to seek attention and fame as her case has gained worldwide media attention. She deserves our praises and the outpouring love and compassion that people have shown for her. She is exemplary and mature for her age; she is the anti-thesis of the current trend of fame seeking by doing anything to get attention.
http://eyedrd.org/2012/06/diane-tran-considers-turning-down-100000-donation-raised-on-her-behalf.html
I knew some kids in a similar situation she explained it like this..."money sometimes make people feel like they own a part of you like they somehow have a an investment in your future and your life now and it is not a strangers place to have that so even though we appreciate the thoughtfulness of others we choose to keep this a family situation"
why isn't self sacrifice and love of family a value we cherish? A lot of children in the past gave up on school to help a family farm, sick parents, and other family members. She is setting an example for her siblings you make a decision and stand by it even if it is damned hard. If she has to go to jail so be it. She didn't accept the money because that would be the easy way out. It would mean saying her hard work had no value.
She shouldn't be in jail. She should be given understanding and compassion. Times are tough all over and families need to stick together to survive. Jail is for criminals not for families that are trying to survive and people who are honest, hard working, and an asset to our society.
Not to be a trouble maker but if she was a C student would it still be okay for her to miss so many days of school? Although I don't think students should be going to jail for missing days, because it really doesn't accomplish anything, I think the same rules should apply for everyone. I admire her strength to work her and take care of family on her own I'm just confused about this whole situation. Why wasn't the parents taken to court and I thought after the age of 16 she would be legally able to drop out. As for the money she didn't ask for so she doesn't have to take it. There were many times families I knew who qualified for assistance but chose not to.