An Unsettling Interview with an Incestuous Family | Mark Laita 

Watch more of Mark Laita here: ru-vid.com/group/PLfi9jV4NTGygfRfy02IZ10B-sekMKpTq_

Mark's films of the Whittakers are incredibly compassionate. He's helped them financially, taken them shopping and always treated them with respect.

So Mark, I’m amazed that your relationship with the Whittakers goes back 18 years! Ray has come such a long way from his first reaction of fear and anger. He loves you now. He lights up like a Christmas tree when you talk to him. Thank you for showing us the kindness, humanity and innocence of these folks. And thank you for raising money to get them a new roof, siding, kitchen cabinets and many other things they needed. I love that the Whittakers’ neighbors and community protect them. It hurts my heart that someone made fun of Ray at church so he stopped going.

He is educating people on the consequences of incest. He got them a Go Fund Me page, so that was very loving of him to do. That came from his heart. Thank you for presenting this information.

they're not an "incestuous family", they're the victims of an incestuous family. Their parents-grandparents are to blame for their condition

I admire the fact that Mark deems everyone's life interesting and want to make people aware of lives that r not normally known. Lives that most of us don't see on a daily basis. Everyone has a story and everyone is a story of some kind in life.

Finally a face to the voice.

Mark is the real deal. Listen to him talk. His respect and dignity for others is paramount.

This guy is the most respectful non judgmental person I've seen in a long time

I love that he is humanizing these people in ways that you wouldn't even believe would be possible. The depth and beauty of this project is remarkable.

Being a West Virginian..I really appreciate the compassion and respect you had for the Whittakers...Bless you...

Honestly, it takes a very special type of person to be able to do what Mark does, & not remove what little pride, etc. any of those people still have.

Whatever Mark takes he gives back 10x. He’s spreading awareness, regaining trust in many and spreading love. It’s a win win situation for all thats involved. The Whitaker family have been introduced to kind and gifting people. They’ve learnt so much and gained so many. Thanks for the sacrifice Mark. Be well.

I think its sweet that the town want to protect the Whittaker family

Am I the only one that expected to see the interview with this family when I clicked on it? SWUB is one of my favorite channels, so seeing Mark's face for the first time was pretty cool.

I would love for him to stay in touch with the Whitakers so we can see how everyone is doing. They are such a loving family and I didn't know they had other family members until the trip to Walmart! Thank you for sharing them with us. That outing to Walmart had me in tears. It was beautiful!!

Oh, he looks like he sounds lol.

I live in Northern Ohio, I know first hand that West Virginia, parts of Kentucky, and Southern Ohio are some of the poorest places I’ve seen in America. People feel bad for other countries when their fellow countrymen live in squalor along roads nobody drives on.

The Whitakers are part of hard reality. Respect is critical. Imagine the lives of those we never get a glimpse of. WV, NY or anywhere on this planet. Thanks Mark.

I love Marks voice! Thank God he found his calling

He's very careful on how to speak about the Whittakers, and that's good, they deserve respect also, and it was a little painful to watch that video, and the questions for the mother, cause he knew they were an oddity. But Ray seems like such a good hearted man, tries his best to communicate ❤️

He's being so careful as to what he's saying

This is the first time I am seeing Mark in an interview, previously he was known to me as a great voice behind the camera. Its great to see you in front of the camera Mark and I truly enjoy your channel, the interesting people you interview and the heartfelt help you give them❤️🙏

I did some mission work in WV in college. Definitely met some people like this in the hollows they were the nicest, warmest, salt of the earth people I’ve ever met. The experiences I had there made a definite, positive imprint on my heart. 30 years later, I still feel warmth and love when I think of my brief time spent there. One older lady said one of my favorite lines, ever….she said her ex husband was as useless as the tits on a boar hog……. 😂😂😂😂

I'm gonna tell my kids this was tony hawk

I felt that the portraits and video mentioned in this interview were a break-through. Mark has been showing the world that we are all different, yet the same, for years. It is incredible that Mark has the wherewithal to get these interviews on the fly. Mark has this unassuming demeanor, he is nonjudgemental and has the ability to get people to want to communicate with him. It is a gift. I also possess this gift and someday, I want to use it for the better of people.

“It’s good to see that these things exist.” - This is exactly what I thought when I was watching the videos. It’s a new world to me and I feel so much more compassion and empathy for the unfortunate.

I LOVE that Mark got interviewed because he always interviews and now we get to hear his side! I love it!

Mark is amazing, but I have to disagree slightly. Providing a service isn't exploiting someone. That's simply a mutually beneficial agreement. It only becomes exploitation when one side is being taken advantage of.

FINALLY! i have a face to the voice!! swu is one of my favorite yt channels. i love how he does his interviews with class, never talks down to his interviewees and lets them tell their stories without judgement. sometimes you can see the enormous amount of weight lifted off these peoples shoulders after being able to tell their story. mark is a great man!

Instead of some of you complaining about how awful his interview is, why don't you listen and observe the fact that this man is fighting his emotions and trying hard not to break down. We have all been there,.....doing a damn good job too as far as I'm concerned!!!

I love that Mark mentioned “where was I going with this?” and continued on. This happens to me all the time and fearful that I’m losing my memory.

He said " it's a good story " more then actually telling the story . This man talk about everything but the dam story !

Mark has a real way with people... He puts everyone in comfort mode and turns people in amazing storytellers. He documents people's lives, true stories, he helps break prejudice. He's work comes with expenses..we assume only our time and energy to be valuable. Mark's underbelly project is a true jem

Whats so unsettling is there are now “Karens” trying to report the family for abuse and neglect. When I read one particular comment made by an imbecile who claims to be a “social worker” I was furious! As we can surely see everything has broken down in America, that includes the health care system and all that goes along with it. Why is it that we can’t all just be kind and understanding? Ppl need to leave that family alone unless they have a heart like Mark…other wise back off!

Mark thank you for showing such kindness towards these people. I had heard from a girl that once lived in the holler (that’s what she called it) and she said you may go in, but you probably won’t make it out as these people don’t trust any outsiders. I love Ray and find him to be so interesting. I am glad to hear that some people do protect them. Thank you for al you have done for them. I believe you are a God sent to them.❤️🙏🏻

He's no storyteller that's for sure.10 minutes later you're still waiting to find out what the heck the story was about

Have given up watching television since I found Mark and and his photo documentaries and interviews. Interesting, profound and a whole emotional education... that consistently holds my attention.

Good to see you! Thank you for helping so many people even when you know you are being taken for a ride by many of them. Your interaction with the Whittaker family was memorable on so many levels. I love the sincerity of how you treat all people with kindness and compassion.

Amazing stories he tells of these people and their lives.Sad, fascinating',sometimes so unbelievable yet 'real people' living lives that the majority of us never could imagine.Well done for your kindness and love x

This story about the family in WV broke my heart! I was born and raised in WV and live here again, now. Call me naive but I had absolutely no idea the level of poverty and INCEST in my state! Obviously, the majority of West Virginians don't live this way! Thank you for opening my eyes to what was right beneath them!

I’ve just found Mark’s channel and I’m hooked. Letting his subjects tell their stories is amazing. He seems kind compassionate and I can tell he truly cares.

I have so much respect for this man. Especially in todays climate when people throw shade so quickly and are so very judgmental on almost everything.

You are a remarkable artist Mark, always a joy to see you and hear you talk

The life you have lived and the stories you have told are so amazing that you need to make a movie. Too completely convey all the lives you have touched. I’m amazed and awed.

I grew up in NW Pa, and there are many families in the rural areas similar to the ones mentioned here. I even knew a few. They tended to stay around their homes, not venturing out into the world ,where they are ridiculed and harassed. They grow their own food and hunt, and often have large families within the same gene pool. I used to hike a lot, and would run into some of the family members. We would say “Hi” and keep going our own way. My father would take my mom and I to auctions in these rural towns, and many of the families would attend as well. Women who were 40 looked to be 60, weathered by sun and hard work. Some had congenital anomalies and cognitive impairment. I was curious but not afraid of their children..they didn’t interact with me, and very quiet and serious.

Mark is incredibly empathetic and truly cares.

He actually has heart. He’s not exploiting them for profit. I can feel the genuineness in his voice. He actually made a connection with these people and helped them. Hats off to you sir. Please don’t let your genuine heart turn into a Jackass video.

Y’all acting like you’ve never seen his face before. It’s literally on his introductory video to his page.

I love how expressive Mark is. When he tells the story you can see it in his eyes the feelings he felt when first driving up the road, up until meeting that interesting family. Great interview!

Do you realize Ray's family member had just died? Ray was extremely upset! Without words to express himself Ray expressed his pain and misery by attacking the garbage can! He was very upset...angry with things he could not change...this loss was a heartbreak for him...with a loss of not being able to fix it...he expressed his feeling by kicking the garbage can! Ray is a sweetheart!

What a great job he's doing. Thank you so much for all the people he's introducing to the world who would otherwise be forgotten.

Mark. You give the voiceless and relegated a space to express how human they are. Thank you. 💖

He turned up uninvited when they’re mourning a death in the family, and is annoyed when they don’t want to be photographed? I find his work very interesting, but often borderline exploitative.

You have done amazing work giving a voice to people that didn't have one. Thank you for giving such a human connection to people that most people overlook.

His emotional description of his encounter with the family… 😭 he’s incredible

This is exactly how I answer questions....Trying to tell the story, and I leap ahead, then I try to fill in the leap with the interesting things I remember as they come to me. And it takes ages to get to the actual point -- if we remember the point at all by the time we fill in the details. It's ADHD. But it's frustrating for listeners. Even other ADHD folks. 😅

The video of the family is unbelievable. I've shown it to many people and no one has made fun of or degraded the family. They seem happy. It's not a sad video. Someone who makes fun of someone's life is actually the person with the problems. I wish the Whitaker family happiness.

I've actually learned alot from Marks videos,,,,,,and hopefully it teaches people to have compassion for all people.

I have a lot of sympathy for these people, they probably appreciate being humanised and having someone visit them that respects them and helps with their living conditions, it's sad that one of their family members passed away a while ago, the one he got photo permission from that was able to talk that Ray showed him the grave of in that video, my heart goes out to them

Mark your work is amazing. You give a voice to the marginalized, and that gives them humanity and that's why we're touched...keep doing you brother. Just keep doing you...💕

He takes forever to make a point.

That dude opened my eyes to something I thought didn’t exist anymore.

I’m learning more about myself than I ever thought possible since subscribing to this channel two days ago. I consider this channel such a wonderful gift to humanity 💝

Mark I really appreciate you and the platform you’ve given people. I would love to intern for you!!! I think what you’re doing is very important.

I don't he exploits people, I think he just let's people tell their stories! If had them fighting or preaching to them like Maury, Jerry Springer or Dr.Phil it would be a different story.

I really liked the way you presented this . I see families like this at a similar level as a travel nurse in very rural areas. It is done with class and respect as it is not these folks fault . There lives have been hard enough Really enjoy this beautiful presentation of life which isn’t always pretty

Watching Mark with the Whittakers brought me to tears. I appreciate the dignity and respect you give them. You are tremendously compassionate and kind, leading by example. I am humbled and have nothing but respect for you.

I’ve seen the interview with this family and it was so amazing/bizarre how the one man who only barked, you could tell exactly what he was trying to communicate.

Mark you’re absolutely a Blessing for the Suffering Souls on your Channel I hope the man that’s interviewing you Understand You and Learn Something Your Subscribers we Love and Respect You

Mark Laita is wonderful in letting us know these people exist and could use help. He is so compassionate. The world need more people like him!❤

I subscribed to Mark's channel and watched many of his videos. this man is amazing. The Appalachia Playlist is one of my favorites.I watched the videos of the Whitaker family.I dont know how he did it. He is genuinely full of love and compassion for these people. Most of all, there are just no words for his patience and non judgement. He took this family in a shopping spree to Walmart, did a fundraiser so they could fix up their house. I really don't know how he did it. My first visit would have been my last.i could not deal with it, the mess, the poop pants, and not being able to communicate with these people. But somehow, Mark found a way. He is a human angel You have to watch his videos to understand. May God bless this man with whatever he needs. His videos not only help the people in them, but help countless who watch them in so many ways.

When he said West Virginia.. i immediately thought the Whitakers!

Nice to put a face with the voice. Thank you for who you are Mark 🖤

Mark is the best, he is one of a count on one hand of people that I watch that helps out people, I wish there are more people like him.

Mark is an amazing interviewer. Always respectful.

He’s doing a follow up with the this spring

Never expected to see this guy interviewed, but im glad it happened bc his channel is incredible!

I’ll never forget the family he was talking about. I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears. Well maybe it was because I saw the actual interview stoned. It was magnified. In fact I saw them both. I love his style of interviews. The same questions I’m thinking about asking them like their age. Excellent work Mark.

I really appreciate Mark's work. I would love to tell him thank you for who he is and what he does.

I love this series and this family. I would hate to see a person actually going over there to bother them and make fun of them. That is so cruel. I love them and love how much you have helped them.

One thing on my bucket list is to shake Mark's hand one day. And tell him that he does incredible work. What a great guy.

Love this guy he emits such great energy even through the camera this man is chosen and has purpose. I love it

I love Mark and his brilliant work! He's truly a gem! ✨

I have watched quite a few of Marks videos. The people he interviews are almost always comfortable with him. I trust their assessment of him. People develop a "skill" with reading people and the energy inside of them when they live to tell the tale of childhoods that flat out should not happen.

Omg the man behind the camera hey Mark! I’ve been dying to see you interviewed Merry Christmas 🎄

I can shed some light on how politics affect these areas. Most of the Appalachian mountain area is "Coal Country", a huge portion of the local taxes come from mines and gas well companies. Local political leaders, such as, county supervisors, board members, sheriff, and other business owners rely heavily on the mines. Now, how does this plays into negatively affecting the local population? The mines and gas wells need land for mining and drilling, they also need workers, it is in the best interest of the mines to get land and labor as cheap as possible. So, to keep cost low and profits high, they need to keep land cost down and education low ( educated people general stay away from low paying hazardous jobs). They accomplish this through local politics and propaganda. These small towns are keep small and poor for a reason! Now, how does that relate to incest, drug use, and bad health, with a low population that are poor and uneducated, you end up with horrible living conditions, drug and alcohol abuse, tack on men dying at earlier ages from black lung, rock falls, explosions, and poor diet, leaving widows and young children to fend for themselves. Most get on government assistance and/or settle for a substandard man just for some security. Take note that a lot, not all, but a lot, of places around the world that are rich in natural resources have some of the worth living conditions. It is not a coincidence! And the reason that I know this is, I have lived 2hrs from Odd, WV. for most of my live (almost 40 yrs), and also spend 11 yrs in the military traveling to some awful locations, I have seen a lot of bad stuff, sad stuff 😪

Mark is such a compassionate and wonderful human, he shows the side of life we don't see everyday.

So many shy away from the ugly gritty side where there's nothing to monetize, there's no safety, there's nothing. These people are the true heart and soul of America the people society would rather not acknowledge. Thanks for taking the time to work at their speed. I think the level of respect in your presentation is fantastic. I'm sure the family can understand motives and intentions even if they cannot verbalize that.

What Mark does is admirable and amazing. He tells the stories that need to be told. This what being pro-life means.

Thanks for being so nice to the Whitakers. It's nice to finally see your face. I hope they are doing well. Love Ray!

I think Mark’s interviews with the family are the most poignant interviews I have had the pleasure of listening to.

Mark is awesome! Thanks for all that you do!

I just subbed bc of these interviews with Mark. They’re amazing. I absolutely think Mark is iconic, he’s true genius and exhibits the beauty of humanity, and he will be a legend. Meeting him would be a true gift.

The work that mark does is incredible

Mark has a very kind, loving and caring heart. I love his check in videos with the Whitakers and how he helps them in so many ways.

Mark you're gonna blow up big & your channel is gonna do numbers brother! Keep up the awesome work!

After watching this interview i now understand completely how Mark gets some of the what should be award winning interviews.This guys energy for what he does matches and meets the people who he talks to perfectly and seamlessly.How absolutely impressive

Mark is awesome!!! Love him love what he does. Showing the real true nature of all human beings and the struggles

This is the first time I’ve seen your stories of the Whittakers and I’m so impressed. I love your empathy, compassion and your kindness.