The Times They are a-Changing

This photo was taken in February 1936, during the Great Depression. The central woman in this photo is Florence Owens Thompson, whose face unknowingly changed the nation during the economic crisis. This photo captured a proud America in its deepest troubles. Thompson was a widower who had seven children to raise. However, her job was not profitable, forcing her large family to live on birds killed by the children and vegetables taken from a field close by. Her situation was not unlike many other workers who also labored at the farm she was at. Soon after, the photo was spread throughout the country, which then prompted the government to distribute food and supplies.

While the photo was taken decades ago, it is still known was the "Migrant Mother" photo. Sure, it pictured America in one of its worst times. However, it also tells us how we should be aware of what we do, and not take things for granted. While we have been given the lecture of how there are people elsewhere in the world that live in poverty and starve, those same people also exist in our country. The mother here is taking care of seven children, and has been through rough times. However, she still endured the troubles in her life, with the loss of her husband, and the poverty everyone was living in. We shouldn't be complaining about anything; instead, we should tough it out. The expression of the woman not only shows poverty and loss, but also perseverance and hope. Such an attitude is lost in our society today. We should never forget that our ancestors had to work in order to build our civilization into what it is today. While financial problems may occur, they can be fixed. The loss of determination cannot be.

*This photo also shows us how strong our mothers can be. Florence Owens Thompson ended up getting no royalties from the photo, and lived in a mobile home for the majority of her life. She died and was buried next to her husband, immortalized by the photo.