Daniel Gardner
Flash Prose Activity #2
2/16/2015
Imagine walking 21 miles every day through rain, sleet, snow, and whatever else Mother Nature has in her arsenal. Now imagine doing that for twelve consecutive years all the while maintaining perfect attendance at a low-paying factory job and not once being late. This is exactly what 56-year-old James Robertson, now known as Detroit’s “Walking Man,” has been doing for over a decade. His dedication and unprecedented work ethic has paid off for him, albeit in an unexpected way.
A humble James Robertson stands outside of his workplace in the Rochester Area of Detroit, ten miles from his home.
As I was scrolling through the various articles on the Vice website, I stumbled upon a story that caught my eye. Mainly because the author is a man we have all come to know and love, a man by the name of Charlie LeDuff. However upon reading the story of James Robertson, I forgot that LeDuff was writing the article and my focus shifted to the heartwarming story and eventual good fortune of this hard-working man.
A banker named Blake Pollock was driving to work one day and discovered Robertson on the side of the road. He learned of Robertson’s unrelenting daily commute and was compelled to tell his story to the Free Press. Once the story of James Robertson hit the press, Americans nationwide were compelled to help him in his plight. A GoFundMe.com account started by 19-year-old Evan Leedyof Wayne State College has raised over $350,000 for Robertson in a span of four days. Not only that, but Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights is giving Robertson a brand new, fully loaded 2015 Ford Taurus.
Robertson explains his gratefulness to those who have helped him as Evan Leedy, right, smiles in agreement
“There’s nobody who deserves it more than him,” says dealership manager Jim Elder, reflecting on his own employees attendance records.
However, in the poverty stricken area of Detroit where Robertson resides, a new car and lots of money have presented an obvious problem. Even though he hasn’t received any money from his GoFundMe account, people are already on his doorstep demanding money from him. The bright red Taurus parked in front of his house is not helping him stay on the down-low either. As LeDuff reports, “But the well-meaning dealership may as well have painted a bull's-eye on the hood and attached a vanity plate that screamed: Come get me! I'm rich!”
Seeing the danger and in concern for Robertson’s welfare, LeDuff told the local police chief of Robertson’s newfound problem. The police chief then sent over an escort of police officers to Robertson’s house while he packed up his four bags of belongings and allowed him to stay in an empty apartment with the landlord’s permission while he parked his Taurus at the police station for safety.
Robertson is overwhelmed by the kindness of thousands of strangers who chose to lend a helping hand and says his only wish is that his story will affect at least one person in a positive way. As the grateful man says:
“People say that I’m an inspiration, but truth be told, to those who were great enough to donate and everything, you’re really so welcome that I don’t know what to tell you. You guys are the real heroes. If this story will touch at least one person, you know, and inspire them to do something out of the goodness of their heart, I will be the happiest person alive.”
Works Cited:
Baldas, Tresa. “Detroit ‘walking man’ James Robertson gets a new car.” USA Today. February 6, 2015. Web. February 16, 2015.
Leduff, Charlie. “Detroit’s ‘Walking Man’ Walks On.” VICE. February 17, 2015. Web. February 17, 2015.