I have been a follower and admirer of JM for years. I remember really relating to some of her poverty and deprivation stories and also feeling quite moved at times by her. I admired her stance against Hatie Kopkins.
I ignored the overly descriptive (and sometimes quite off putting use of weird words when describing foods) writing, putting it down to just finding her feet and style. I started to get a little disconcerted over time as she seemed to collect various labels and diagnoses but, again, ignored it to a degree. I didn’t/don’t believe she is an alcoholic...maybe she just binged a few times and didn’t like herself much afterwards. The number of ethnic/hereditary cultural backgrounds increased to a number that seemed a little strange but hey ho, some people probably do have 3-4 diverse grandparents. The confusion over sexuality and gender is almost a given, it seems nowadays in trendy circles.
I bought a couple of the Tin Can book for the food bank drive. I tried a couple of recipes from the internet and did find them disappointing enough to not want to buy a book myself but got behind the idea of supporting a resource that was needed in a time of rising prices, looming Brexit (and its economic impact), and a Conservative government that wants to ensure the poor stay poor (that awful documentary on C4 last year about food bank use nearly broke my heart).
Lately, I wondered if they had become ill and it has been blatantly obvious for some time that they were single again so I googled and found myself here a couple of nights ago.....and, well......wow. Talk about eye-opener.
I feel somewhat cheated. And also concerned for their welfare and sons welfare. And, I also feel a tad angry because they have used a huge platform that could do so much good and seems hell bent on turning into a car crash. It’s all become quite unseemly and verging on desperate. The free school meals thing on top of the JO rants and backtrack is a final straw for me.
That comment about working with the government to sort things out certainly does lend itself to being egotistical and tone deaf. Has it not occurred to Jack that as a top performing athlete with connections to sport and nutrition programmes unrivalled in many regards, along with the clout of a world renowned sporting brand, Marcus Rashford might have a bit more knowledge and clout on getting action on the situation? I would imagine he could put a team together with the involvement of his mum and absolutely knock it out of the park, both practically and promotionally.
I don’t think she is a bad person - far from it. I can’t get angry with her, as some do here. I think she is in need of some serious help and some guidance and maybe even some form of family support and parenting herself.
If, as some believe, Jack is reading this, I hope you get help. Growing up in a dysfunctional family (poor, deprived, working class family with little food, an alcoholic single parent on benefits and being the eldest so looking after the young ones - yes, I DO know what it’s like), well, it is a living hell. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the boy you love. Put the phone down and get help. Tonight.
Jack you won't taste good, you've spent years filling your body with disgusting slop poorly cooked by you.... Sure you can eat your own leg but you have to cook it yourself
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