Tell me about the projects - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tap Dancer · 11-05-2013, 03:25 PM

I live in a middle to upper middle class area, so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I've read a bunch of threads where people asked how Willona got into the projects being a single woman. So here are my questions:

• Is it unheard of for a single person to live there?
• I thought people lived there because they were poor and couldn't afford to live in a better area, but are there rules because of overpopulation? Is it still like this today?
• Could it be possible that Willona lived in that area growing up so she was able allowed to remain there? Or could it be because she lived there when she was married, but was allowed to stay after the divorce?

I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid. I just don't know what life is really like in the ghetto...other than what I see on TV. (And we know how realistic TV shows are.

)

cleverfun3000 · 11-05-2013, 08:47 PM

I have a few relatives that live in the projects and it's just barely a roof over your head. Imagine all the terrible conditions that you would never want to live amongst....and that's the projects. May you NEVER know the angst and the agony of having no other choice but to live in the projects.

TVFactFan · 11-05-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

I live in a middle to upper middle class area, so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I've read a bunch of threads where people asked how Willona got into the projects being a single woman. So here are my questions:

• Is it unheard of for a single person to live there?
• I thought people lived there because they were poor and couldn't afford to live in a better area, but are there rules because of overpopulation? Is it still like this today?
• Could it be possible that Willona lived in that area growing up so she was able allowed to remain there? Or could it be because she lived there when she was married, but was allowed to stay after the divorce?

I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid. I just don't know what life is really like in the ghetto...other than what I see on TV. (And we know how realistic TV shows are.

)

Projects are for poor families. Willona was single and had several outfits which was confusing how she got a place in the projects

Tap Dancer · 11-06-2013, 08:51 AM

I know the projects are where very poor people live, but that doesn't explain why people question Willona living there. Just because she was single doesn't mean she had money. I get what you're saying about Willona's clothes, but Thelma had a lot of outfits too. James and JJ wore the same couple of outfits all the time and they were always complaining about bills. Thelma should have been wearing the same 2-3 outfits over and over too.

TVFactFan · 11-06-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

I know the projects are where very poor people live, but that doesn't explain why people question Willona living there. Just because she was single doesn't mean she had money. I get what you're saying about Willona's clothes, but Thelma had a lot of outfits too. James and JJ wore the same couple of outfits all the time and they were always complaining about bills. Thelma should have been wearing the same 2-3 outfits over and over too.

In real life, a single woman has to have kids to get into project housing. So that's why everyone always question how she got in because they were built for FAMILIES not a single person

Retro4Life · 11-06-2013, 08:07 PM

It's possible that Willona's clothes were gifts; maybe from family, or even from male suitors. I have several nice shirts that someone else gave me. For myself, I tend to buy cheaper stuff.

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families.

Tap Dancer · 11-06-2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families. Is it possible she

What?! Don't let us hanging! LOL

Retro4Life · 11-06-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

What?! Don't let us hanging! LOL

Sorry I was going to say was it possible she HAD a family (mother, father, sister, etc) that moved away, but surely we would have heard about them during the course of the series, particularly if she had had children, which we know she didn't because of the adoption of Penny.

TVFactFan · 11-06-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

It's possible that Willona's clothes were gifts; maybe from family, or even from male suitors. I have several nice shirts that someone else gave me. For myself, I tend to buy cheaper stuff.

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families.

It is not realistic for a women to have a apt in the projects and living alone without kids or a man

Tap Dancer · 11-06-2013, 08:50 PM

It's been a while since I saw the episodes when Penny came along. I forgot how Willona was able to adopt her but it seems unlikely that a single, unmarried woman in the projects could adopt a kid.

TVFactFan · 11-06-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

It's been a while since I saw the episodes when Penny came along. I forgot how Willona was able to adopt her but it seems unlikely that a single, unmarried woman in the projects could adopt a kid.

I can't remember either, I know Bookman tried to pretend and be her husband but failed.

cleverfun3000 · 11-07-2013, 08:15 AM

I remember that episode! That's the one where Wilona coined the phrase, "NEGRO, PLEASE!" It became her mantra in later episodes.

Brieannas21 · 11-07-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It is not realistic for a women to have a apt in the projects and living alone without kids or a man

Apparently Wilona was married a few times in her life. So who's to say that when she moved into the projects that she wasn't married.

MacLeaper · 11-07-2013, 06:10 PM

The way "the projects" and "the ghetto" were always presented on "Good Times" usually makes me think- The projects failed. It's sad that so many people live in such bad areas....I'm glad churches and other groups work to help improve their situations. I try to support such groups and their work as well- Jesus said that when we help the least of these His brethren, we are really doing it unto Him.

(see Matthew 25).

TVFactFan · 11-07-2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Apparently Wilona was married a few times in her life. So who's to say that when she moved into the projects that she wasn't married.

If she was married she would be eligible for the projects

It was probably before she moved to the projects

11-05-2013, 03:25 PM	#1
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	Tell me about the projects I live in a middle to upper middle class area, so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I've read a bunch of threads where people asked how Willona got into the projects being a single woman. So here are my questions: • Is it unheard of for a single person to live there? • I thought people lived there because they were poor and couldn't afford to live in a better area, but are there rules because of overpopulation? Is it still like this today? • Could it be possible that Willona lived in that area growing up so she was able allowed to remain there? Or could it be because she lived there when she was married, but was allowed to stay after the divorce? I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid. I just don't know what life is really like in the ghetto...other than what I see on TV. (And we know how realistic TV shows are. )

11-06-2013, 08:07 PM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	It's possible that Willona's clothes were gifts; maybe from family, or even from male suitors. I have several nice shirts that someone else gave me. For myself, I tend to buy cheaper stuff. As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

11-07-2013, 06:10 PM	#14
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	The way "the projects" and "the ghetto" were always presented on "Good Times" usually makes me think- The projects failed. It's sad that so many people live in such bad areas....I'm glad churches and other groups work to help improve their situations. I try to support such groups and their work as well- Jesus said that when we help the least of these His brethren, we are really doing it unto Him. (see Matthew 25).
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

11-05-2013, 08:47 PM	#2
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	I have a few relatives that live in the projects and it's just barely a roof over your head. Imagine all the terrible conditions that you would never want to live amongst....and that's the projects. May you NEVER know the angst and the agony of having no other choice but to live in the projects.

11-06-2013, 08:51 AM	#4
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	I know the projects are where very poor people live, but that doesn't explain why people question Willona living there. Just because she was single doesn't mean she had money. I get what you're saying about Willona's clothes, but Thelma had a lot of outfits too. James and JJ wore the same couple of outfits all the time and they were always complaining about bills. Thelma should have been wearing the same 2-3 outfits over and over too.

11-06-2013, 08:50 PM	#10
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	It's been a while since I saw the episodes when Penny came along. I forgot how Willona was able to adopt her but it seems unlikely that a single, unmarried woman in the projects could adopt a kid.

11-07-2013, 08:15 AM	#12
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	I remember that episode! That's the one where Wilona coined the phrase, "NEGRO, PLEASE!" It became her mantra in later episodes.