United States Office Of War Information Collection (#2)
The United States Office of War Information captured the harsh realities and struggles faced by migrant workers in various parts of the country during the late 1930s
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The United States Office of War Information captured the harsh realities and struggles faced by migrant workers in various parts of the country during the late 1930s. Dorothea Lange, a renowned photographer, documented their lives through her lens, shedding light on their living conditions and daily routines. In Western Washington's Grays Harbor County, northeast of Elma, Lange's photographs reveal an approach to a town that was likely home to many struggling families. Similarly, in Widtsoe, Utah in 1936, Lange captures the difficult circumstances faced by residents as they navigate life in this small community. One striking image shows migratory workers engaged in pea harvest at Calipatria in Imperial County. The photograph highlights their laborious efforts and showcases the challenges they encountered while working under challenging conditions. Another powerful image depicts migratory field workers waiting patiently at 5 a. m. Amidst carrot fields for an opportunity to secure work. This scene offers insight into their determination and resilience despite facing uncertain futures. Lange also focused on specific communities within California where migrant labor camps were established. Her photographs depict laundry facilities within these camps located in Westley and near Westmorland. These images provide glimpses into the basic amenities provided for these hardworking individuals who often lived transient lives. Additionally, Lange captures mailboxes belonging to lettuce workers residing on the outskirts of Salinas. This snapshot represents both isolation from mainstream society as well as their connection to loved ones through correspondence. Finally, she documents groups like a gang of migratory carrot pullers camped near Holtville or migrants awaiting work opportunities before dawn amidst vast carrot fields - all emblematic of their nomadic lifestyle dictated by seasonal agricultural demands. Through her poignant photography commissioned by the United States Office of War Information during this era marked by economic hardship and social upheaval, Dorothea Lange immortalizes not only individual stories but also sheds light on broader issues surrounding migration and labor in America.