Americans react: refusal of the government
Although government aid was widely available, many Americans were reluctant to accept relief, and many rejected it altogether. Those who opposed government aid were often suspicious of big government and the liberal polices being passed during the New Deal era. Often pride got in the way of accepting aid.
This photo was taken by John Vachon in April of 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa. A migrant man stares up at a government billboard. It depicts the “American Way” and basic core values that stereotypically all Americans believe in. The juxtaposition of the migrant and the sign is very ironic. All of these American values about opportunity and freedoms and private enterprise paint this picture of a positive thriving America. The man, who has migrated from his home because of the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl, is in search of work. Those government programs and government ideals have failed this man and many others. This image shows a symbolic opposition to the government’s beliefs.
Lester Hunter
“I'd rather not be on the rolls of relief,
Or work on the W.P.A.,
We'd rather work for the farmer
If the farmer could raise the pay;"
"I'd Rather Not Be on Relief" by Lester Hunter, was a poem written to express the grief he particularly felt about accepting government relief. Hunter was forced to migrate to California in search of a new job and a new life. He would much rather just work on his farm and earn his wages honestly than work in government programs or receive handouts. He states “I'd rather not be on the rolls of relief, / Or work on the W.P.A.” Hunter speaks to the large portion of Americans who are relutant to ask for relief. Working for the WPA was not something he wanted to do, but hungry children and no crops forces him and others to search for work elsewhere. Hunter’s poem gives insight to the feelings people were having towards government programs. Many Americans opposed the new expanding government and were suspicious of big government. It's programs were too liberal, and resistance was wide spread.
“I'd rather not be on the rolls of relief,
Or work on the W.P.A.,
We'd rather work for the farmer
If the farmer could raise the pay;"
"I'd Rather Not Be on Relief" by Lester Hunter, was a poem written to express the grief he particularly felt about accepting government relief. Hunter was forced to migrate to California in search of a new job and a new life. He would much rather just work on his farm and earn his wages honestly than work in government programs or receive handouts. He states “I'd rather not be on the rolls of relief, / Or work on the W.P.A.” Hunter speaks to the large portion of Americans who are relutant to ask for relief. Working for the WPA was not something he wanted to do, but hungry children and no crops forces him and others to search for work elsewhere. Hunter’s poem gives insight to the feelings people were having towards government programs. Many Americans opposed the new expanding government and were suspicious of big government. It's programs were too liberal, and resistance was wide spread.
During this time many families left their homes and picked up their entire lives and migrated further west to California. This image by Dorothea Lange, (place) shows three children wearing masks to protect themselves from the dust. They are on their way to school. This family, beside their circumstances are attempting to live normal lives and adapt to the situation. In a time were most people are jumping on the government band wagon and migrating and joining government programs, Lange captures a family just trying to survive without government aid.
Lorene White
Lorene White, of Manter, Kansas speaks of her father’s reluctance to accept aid from the federal government. For many Americans it was a loss of pride to accept help. She states, “My Dad was really proud. He thought it was charity to take help from the government.” Even when the government came in and offered the family money to switch farming methods, the father refused. White tells of her family going hungry before her father would accept help. She states, “He was the breadwinner of the family, and it was a disgrace for him to let someone else come in and take care of his family, and he felt like that’s what was happening.” This was a common narrative for many American men and their families. Shameful that they couldn’t provide for their family, and often to avoid this feeling father rejected government aid.
Lorene White, of Manter, Kansas speaks of her father’s reluctance to accept aid from the federal government. For many Americans it was a loss of pride to accept help. She states, “My Dad was really proud. He thought it was charity to take help from the government.” Even when the government came in and offered the family money to switch farming methods, the father refused. White tells of her family going hungry before her father would accept help. She states, “He was the breadwinner of the family, and it was a disgrace for him to let someone else come in and take care of his family, and he felt like that’s what was happening.” This was a common narrative for many American men and their families. Shameful that they couldn’t provide for their family, and often to avoid this feeling father rejected government aid.