Internally Displaced Person Collection
"Capturing the Struggles: The Plight of Internally Displaced Persons in 1939 America" In the midst of the Great Depression
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"Capturing the Struggles: The Plight of Internally Displaced Persons in 1939 America" In the midst of the Great Depression, Dorothea Lange's lens shed light on a forgotten chapter in American history - that of internally displaced persons. These powerful photographs transport us to FSA emergency migratory labor camps and growers' camps, where families uprooted from their homes sought solace and survival. Lange's lens first focuses on farm boys from western Nebraska who became migrant farm workers in Merrill, Oregon. Their youthful faces bear witness to the harsh realities they now face as they navigate an uncertain future far away from familiar fields. Similarly, we meet a former Nebraska farmer turned migrant worker in Klamath County, Oregon - his weathered hands tell stories of lost dreams and newfound resilience. The scenes shift to Calipatria, California, where supper time becomes a poignant moment for reflection amidst pea fields. In these FSA migratory emergency camps, families gather together with meager provisions but boundless hope for better days ahead. Lange captures their strength and determination as they share meals under makeshift shelters. Peering into another corner of this world is a glimpse into life at pea picker camp in Imperial Valley. Here too, lives are marked by transience and uncertainty as individuals strive to make ends meet while harvesting crops that sustain others but not themselves. Moving northward to Josephine County near Grants Pass, Oregon introduces us to a young migrant boy living with his family in a grower's camp. His innocent eyes belie the hardships he endures daily; yet amidst it all shines an unwavering spirit fueled by love and unity within their community. Returning once more to Klamath County brings us face-to-face with another former Nebraska farmer turned migrant worker - this time capturing the struggles faced by men who were once pillars of rural communities but now find themselves adrift in unfamiliar territory.