Wanda Pope Brings White Trash to Highland Park
When you hear the term “White trash,” you probably cringe, grimace, or snicker.
Arlington’s Wanda Pope, however, uses the term to describe herself — or what she once was — in her new book White Trash: From Dirt Floors to the White House.
Pope explains how she, a poor “white trash” daughter, one of thirteen children born to an abusive, alcoholic father and submissive mother, made it to a reception with the President of the United States of America in the White House. She details what life was like living in a tin barn with dirt floors and no plumbing, and growing up wondering if each night would be the night that her father wouldn’t miss when he shot at her mother.
From digging in dumpsters and going to bed hungry to having wine with the President, Pope’s tale is one of the most inspirational I’ve heard in a long time. If you’d like to hear her tell her story in person, she’ll be discussing and signing copies of her book at 1 p.m. this Saturday at the SMU Barnes & Noble.
I’m guessing you’ll never view the term “White trash” the same way.
