End of the Line
What becomes of Janesville, Wisconsin, now that GM's left town?
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For a related article by Charlie LeDuff, click here.
Janesville, Wisconsin grew up in the shadow of a GM plant, and like other Midwestern cities built around the automobile industry, its growth has recently been stunted. The last Chevy truck rolled off Janesville's assembly line on December 23, 2008, missing the plant's 90-year anniversary by six months. The economic consequences have been profound.
While photographing the effects of a recession can be low-hanging fruit for photojournalists (Breadlines? Check. Homeless encampments? Check. Empty buildings? Check.), to really get under the skin of a small city undergoing a change this big takes a patient, keen eye. As part of a long-term project looking at America's more economically and geographically cut-off areas, Mother Jones contributing photographer Danny Wilcox-Frazier found himself in Janesville. This photo essay is the result. —Mark Murrmann, Photo Editor
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Comments
This is a terrible
Submitted by Pam (not verified) on Thu Sep. 10, 2009 11:22 AM PDT.
This is a terrible misrepresentation of Janesville, WI. The pictures of the neighborhoods are taken in one of the oldest most trouble ridden neighborhoods in Janesville. That neighborhood has been in that condition for 30+ years and it is by no means a result of General Motors closing here. The photographer picked a few of the eye sores and more unsavory places to represent Janesville. As a 39 year citizen I take great offense to this. How can a strip joint that isn't even in the city limits or a boarded up gas station, that has been boarded up as long as I can remember, reflect what has happened to Janesville since General Motors closed less than a year ago? I would suggest that Danny Wilcox-Frazier come back to Janesville. I will show him around Janesville, and go farther than a 4 mile radius of the General Motors plant. Hopefully he will be able to capture what a wonderful city Janesville is and all that it has to offer.
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Submitted by deathbymedia on Fri Oct. 23, 2009 8:24 AM PDT.
Pam,
Thank you for bringing this issue to the readers' attention. Perhaps the photo"journalist" should have done a more thorough research before jumping in to the conclusion that the recession and GM in particular are the main reason behind such horrendous conditions in Janesville captured on camera.
areas in the midwest
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat Oct. 24, 2009 5:17 AM PDT.
I grew up near Janesville, and have seen images the photographer depicted all over the Midwest and the US for that matter. This is not a recent thing like Pam mentioned. People like to hold onto pieces of land even if the business has dried up, yet they don't want to spend the time or resources on knocking down the existing buildings.
People have different priorities over there. The heart of the city of Janesville is charming and beautiful with many restored historical buildings and believe it or not, a thriving social scene.
Janesville
Submitted by Anonymous/Zoltan (not verified) on Sun Oct. 25, 2009 6:35 PM PDT.
The media is like a lapsed whore. Nobody wants it, nobody respects it but everyone uses it.
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