| We Were Not Orphans: Stories from the Waco State Home Contributor(s): Matthews, Sherry (Author), Draper, Robert (Introduction by) |
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ISBN: 0292725590 ISBN-13: 9780292725591 Publisher: University of Texas Press OUR PRICE: $26.96 Product Type: Hardcover Published: February 2011 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | United States - State & Local - West (ak, Ca, Co, Hi, Id, Mt, Nv, Ut, Wy) - Social Science | Children's Studies - Family & Relationships | Abuse - Child Abuse |
| Dewey: 362.732 |
| LCCN: 2010039658 |
| Series: Jack and Doris Smothers Series in Texas History, Life, and Culture (Hardcover) |
| Physical Information: 0.87" H x 8.8" W x 9.69" (1.77 lbs) 234 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century - Locality - Waco, Texas - Geographic Orientation - Texas |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: "We were not orphans. Our parents were living; they just couldn't take care of us." This poignant remark captures the heartbreaking reality faced by thousands of Texas children from the 1920s through the 1970s. The Waco State Home provided housing and education for "dependent and neglected" children, but residents paid a price in physical and sexual abuse, military discipline, and plantation-style labor. Even so, the institution was the only home they had, and it rescued many children from an even worse fate. Now for the first time, oral histories and newly unearthed documents reveal what went on behind the gates of the Waco State Home. Sherry Matthews has tracked down former residents and uncovered criminal abuse that went unpunished and unpublicized. "We Were Not Orphans" gathers riveting recollections from nearly sixty alumni who share the horror of abuse as well as their triumphs of spirit and ingenuity. Some alumni recall only the positive--bountiful food, caring teachers, victorious sports teams, and friendships and values that have lasted a lifetime. Others recount bloody beatings and sexual molestation that have left physical and emotional scars. These personal narratives and Matthews's relentless pursuit of the truth show how much can go wrong when a government-run institution operates without adequate public oversight. The Waco State Home finally closed after a landmark federal court decision and a courageous superintendent stopped the abuse and helped shepherd the children out of institutionalized care. |
Contributor Bio(s): Matthews, Sherry: - SHERRY MATTHEWS has spent most of her life working for change through her advocacy marketing firm and has won many awards on behalf of government agencies, nonprofits, and socially conscious companies.Draper, Robert: - ROBERT DRAPER has been a correspondent for GQ magazine since 1997 and is also a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic. He is the author of several books, including the Texas prison novel Hadrian’s Walls and the best-selling biography Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush. |