Bad credit and failing to pay your debt is NOT STEALING! As long as Antonia intended to pay back her loans at the time that she took them out, it is not a crime! Since the 1700s we have had the right to go broke in this country. That is the whole basis for bankruptby law. It's part of the basic risks of capitalism. How dare Rhonda equate it with Antonia's father's crimes! The man is in jail. Of course, easy-rider Iyanla went right along with it. Even though Iyanla went to law school, it is no wonder that she is not a member of the bar.
There are enough valid issues to address in Antonia's life without using her for higher ratings.
I didnt appreciate the thief label either. I have credit card problems, not because I was frivolous and ran through credit card after credit card with no intention to pay, but because I lost a job and fell behind in payments. I was unable to pay because of circumstance-- if I could pay off my debt completely, I would have. Just because I've been unable to pay doesnt make me a thief. And even though they jumped on Antonia when she made the statement about credit card companies targeting college students, that's a very true statement. There were credit card representatives stationed on my college campus a few times each month handing out their free promotional items to get students to sign up for a credit card, and not once was I asked if I had a job before they pushed a credit card in my face. Not every 18-22 year old is responsible enough to see the dangers of a credit card because they're 18-22 and in college.
Hopefully Antonia will learn the skills necessary to clean up her debt and get rid of that attitude of hers.