**Update** An appeal was filed on August 20th. So stay tuned. More info here
Miss. judge tosses suit against ‘The Help’ author
“Circuit Judge Tommie Green ruled Tuesday that a one-year statute of limitations had run out between the time Stockett gave Cooper a copy of the book and the time the lawsuit was filed in February. The lawsuit sought $75,000 in damages.”
http://www.abc12.com/story/15276489/miss-judge-tosses-suit-against-the-help-author
The real deal Aibileen, Abilene Cooper has her lawsuit tossed out
Interesting to finally see what she looks like, but more important, what complexion she is.
I like the kingfish site because it has more information:
Judge Green dismisses Help lawsuit
http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2011/08/judge-green-dismisses-help-lawsuit.html
“Ms. Cooper responded with an answer to Ms. Stockett’s motion filed on April 27. She claimed Ms. Stockett “fraudulently induced” her to “believe The Help was no big deal and the book was rejected no less than sixty times. The response includes a quotes from an 2009 interview (last page of documents posted below) with the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
“When I was writing this book I never thought anyone else would read it, so I didn’t get real creative with the names. I just used people I knew. Some of them aren’t talking to me right now, but I feel like they’ll come around….”
“I was terrified when I realized it was going to be published.”
Needless to say, Ms. Cooper used this statements to argue Ms. Stockett was terrified because she allegedly misappropriated identities and would be found out after publication. “
Now, take a look at Demetrie McLorn, the woman Stockett originally claimed was the inspiration for the character of Aibileen Clark:
Photo of Demetrie, Stockett's grandparents maid.
Well well well…
The comedy of errors just keeps piling up in this sad soap opera.
There’s a line from a movie, ironically titled White Men Can’t Jump
Rosie Perez states:
“Sometimes when you lose, you win. And sometimes when you win, you lose.”
Pretty maids all in a row
Here’s the book’s description of Aibileen Clark (Aibileen Clark, Ablene Cooper, get it?)
. . . Aibileen smiles at me from the sink, her gold tooth shining. She’s a little plump in the middle, but it is a friendly softness. And she’s much shorter than me, because who isn’t? Her skin is dark brown and shiny against her starchy white uniform. Her eyebrows are gray even though her hair is black. (Skeeter’s observation of Aibileen’s appearance Pg 78)
Demetrie McLorn isn’t dark brown. And calling her that is more than a bit of a stretch.
So, my guesses for real life counterparts:
Aibileen Clark – Ablene Cooper
Minny Jackson- Octavia Spencer
Constantine Bates, renamed Constantine Jefferson in the film – Demetrie McLorn
Hilly Holbrook – Carolyn Stockett, the author’s grandmother
Carlton Phelan, re-named Robert Phelan in the movie- Robert Stockett, the author’s grandfather
Raleigh Leefolt – Stockett’s own brother Robert Stockett
Elizabeth Leefolt – Stockett’s sister-in-law, the wife of her brother Robert
Celia Foote – Stockett’s mother
Johnny Foote – Possibly the journalist boyfriend of Stockett’s mom.
Skeeter – Kathryn Stockett
Mae Mobley – Little Kathryn Stockett
Unfriendly softness. This is Aibileen Clark y'all
Don’t feel too bad for Ablene Cooper.
I’m sure she’ll be offered some type of under the table settlement once the dust settles.
But by coming forward, she may have just confirmed a terrible suspicion.
Is The Help just a non-fiction story posing as fiction? And what should Stockett do to ease Ablene Cooper’s pain at being used?
Vote on it with these two polls:
grace ke (@kejia32)
August 18, 2011
Stockett’s slave owning ancestors would be proud that she is carrying on their “grand traditions”. Makes me ashamed to be white Wish I could voodoo an STD on the b*tch.