that terrible world out there

The differences between the realities expressed in the documentary and the one shown in “Ragged Dick” are vast. The very basis of their stories is completely different.
In Moore’s documentary, the people of Flint are suffering after GM closed its auto plant there. People are reduced to selling Rabbits for meat. Crime is rampant, jobs are scarce, and rather than deal directly with the problem, Flint’s town government is avoiding the issue with cheap distractions.
In stark contrast, “Ragged Dick” is much more upbeat. The main character, Richard, is a poor boot shiner who only wants to move up in the world. After saving a boy from drowning, the thankful father gives Dick a large sum of money as well as a well paying job. All his dreams suddenly fulfilled, Dick prepares to live a life of much greater happiness.
I think that both stories could be considered real. However, I also think that Moore’s view of the world is seen more. Great luck and fortunate circumstances happen, but usually only to one person not a large group. On the other hand, terrible events, like the closing of a GM plant, turn thousands of lives upside down and make headlines everywhere. While both realities occur, the later is much more pronounced and in our sensationalist society, is in our view more of the time.