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Truck loads of cotton hoers going from Memphis, Tennessee into Arkansas, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
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Truck loads of cotton hoers going from Memphis, Tennessee into Arkansas, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Truck loads of cotton hoers going from Memphis, Tennessee into Arkansas
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Media ID 36208177
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, titled "Truck loads of cotton hoers going from Memphis, Tennessee into Arkansas," was captured by renowned American photographer Dorothea Lange in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The image offers a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of agricultural labor during this period, with overcrowded trucks carrying African American farmworkers making their way from Memphis to Arkansas. The workers, weary and burdened by their heavy loads, sit atop the trucks, while others cling to the sides or lean out of the open backs. The scene is set against a backdrop of dilapidated buildings and empty storefronts, further emphasizing the economic despair that gripped the region. Lange, a pioneering figure in documentary photography, captured this image as part of her work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a New Deal agency established to provide relief to rural communities affected by the Depression. The photograph is a testament to the hardships faced by farm laborers during this time, and the desperate measures they took to find work and make ends meet. The image also speaks to the broader themes of poverty, occupation, and the human condition, making it a powerful and enduring symbol of the era. Despite the somber subject matter, there are also moments of respite and camaraderie in the photograph. A group of workers huddle around a cafe sign, perhaps seeking refuge from the sun or a moment of rest. Others clasp bottles of beer or liquor, offering a brief reprieve from the harsh realities of their labor. The photograph invites us to bear witness to a moment in history, and to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.
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