The Great Depression in Arkansas – Object #3

Weighing in cotton. Pulaski County, Arkansas.

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<p>Nine African Americans, both male and female are visible in this black and white photograph. They are standing at the edge of a cotton field, waiting to weigh their sacks of cotton. The field is visible in the background and there is a little cotton on the plants. The people wear hats and it appears to be late afternoon. A road runs along the left side of the field in the background.</p>

A group of African Americans waiting at the edge of a cotton field to weigh cotton in large cloth sacks. October 1935.

Questions:

What do you notice in the background of this photo?

What do you notice about the clothing worn by the people in this photograph?  Why would they wear these types of clothing?

What time of day do you think this would be? Give evidence from the photograph to support your answer.

What time of year would this photograph be taken? Give evidence from the photograph to support your answer.

How do you think the Great Depression affected these Arkansans? Give evidence from the photograph to support your answer.

Citations

Shahn, Ben, photographer. Weighing in cotton. Pulaski County, Arkansas. October 1935. [Photograph] Farm Security Administration-Office of War Information Photograph Collection,Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.