Home > Granger Art on Demand > What's New
MIGRANT WORKERS, 1938. Two African American migrant cotton choppers in Memphis
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Granger
MIGRANT WORKERS, 1938. Two African American migrant cotton choppers in Memphis
MIGRANT WORKERS, 1938.
Two African American migrant cotton choppers in Memphis, Tennessee hoping for plantation work. Photograph by Dorothea Lange, June 1938
Granger holds millions of images spanning more than 25,000 years of world history, from before the Stone Age to the dawn of the Space Age
Media ID 13216127
1938 Black Cotton Dorothea Failure Great Depression June Lange Memphis Migrant Worker New Deal Poverty Summer Tennessee Unemployed Working Class Southeast
MIGRANT WORKERS, 1938 - Capturing the Struggles and Resilience of African American Laborers during the Great Depression
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This poignant print by Dorothea Lange, taken in June 1938, transports us back to a time when hope hung on a fragile thread for two African American migrant cotton choppers in Memphis, Tennessee. Standing tall amidst the scorching summer heat, these men embody both the determination to secure plantation work and the harsh reality of poverty that plagued many working-class individuals during this era. Lange's lens captures not just their physical presence but also their unyielding spirit. Their weathered faces tell stories of countless hours spent under unforgiving suns and backs bent low from years of arduous labor. In their eyes lies an unwavering resolve to overcome adversity despite facing economic failure as a result of the Great Depression. As part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives, these workers were among thousands who sought employment opportunities across the Southeastern United States. They represent a generation caught between aspirations for better lives and systemic inequalities that perpetuated their struggles. In this photograph, we witness history frozen in time – a testament to human resilience amid dire circumstances. It serves as a reminder that behind every statistic or policy decision are real people with dreams deferred but never extinguished. The Granger Collection allows us access to such powerful images that shed light on forgotten narratives from our past.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
