For The Detroit Free Press, it seemed like a natural story: James Robertson’s daily ordeal getting to his factory job.
A bus only covers part of his commute. He walks most the rest: 21 miles each day.
James Robertson’s story clearly struck a nerve, making him an overnight media sensation.
With that attention came an outpouring of support, an online campaign raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Robertson, and a local dealership gave him a brand new car.
But the story that made people feel good has Robertson himself feeling bad.
He said he’s being harassed, and Detroit Police have now moved him to temporary living quarters. It's an unexpected turn from the story we all wanted to hear.
Dan Kennedy is an associate professor at Northeastern University.
Joanna Weiss is a columnist at the Boston Globe.
Jon Keller is a political analyst at WBZ
Justin Ellis is an assistant editor at the Nieman Journalism Lab.
