This photograph was taken by Margaret Bourke-White in 1937. It depicts the American lifestyle of The Great Depression period (1920-30) and the late 1930s. This iconic picture was featured in the February 15, 1937, issue of LIFE magazine that focused on the destruction caused by the Great Ohio River flood of 1937 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the Life Magazine, the devastating flood of 1937 took close to 400 lives and left roughly one million people homeless across five states in the winter of that year. This picture can be considered as one of the best examples of photojournalism because it tells the whole story of an era: The Great Depression and 1930s. In this picture, we can see a group of African-American men, women, and children who are standing in a line, some of them carrying basket in their hand. According to the LIFE Magazine, these are the people who were affected by the great flood, and they are standing in the line to receive food and basic aid. Most of them are wearing long coats and hats. Looking at the type of dress these people are wearing, one can easily conclude that the picture was taken during winter. The people in the line seem sad and confused. Behind them is a big billboard advertising the American’s status as the ‘World’s Highest Standard of living’ with a small white American family and a pet on a car. The picture of the family in the car depicts rich and happy American people. There is an advertisement on the right side of the billboard that states ‘There’s no way like the American way’ which highly contrasts with the status of the people who are standing in the line. Before the depression period, Americans were enjoying lavish lifestyle, but by the time of the depression, they no longer had money and leisure to enjoy their freedom and the world’s highest standard of living (BEN 2013). This picture explains the need of social justice in the contemporary America. Thus, the difference between the rich and the poor serves as an irony of America’s economy during the period of great depression and economic downturn.

The caption of the picture, ‘World’s Highest Standard of Living; There’s no way like the American way’, is the most important factor that has added the sense of irony in the photograph. The poster clearly shows that the ‘American Way’ was only for rich white Americans, and the poor and non-whites are often not considered in the ‘American Way’. It shows the way how American strategy misled the rest of the world in the representation of the living standard. The black American people standing in the line show the true story of that period. The economy of America was badly hurt due to the great depression which was further added by the devastating flood of 1937. It is estimated that the unemployment rate went up to 25 percent during this period (GWEN 2008). There was disconnection between the mainstream, rich people and those hit hardest by social problems and natural calamities. White Americans who were government officials and were in good position in job had little effect of the economic downturn as compared to others. The government could not create further job opportunities during that time. As a consequence, the gap between the rich and the poor widened. The situation divided American people in two groups. The rich had jobs and lived a luxurious life, whereas the poor still struggled. As a result, the poor had to depend upon government aid during social and economic problem. It is ironic that how a country can enjoy world’s highest living standard despite unemployment still existed. It is quiet obvious that highest standard of living was not for everyone during that period. The picture effectively shows the need of socio-economic balance between white and black American during that period. In the picture, people who are lined up seeking food and clothing from a relief station are all black Americans. Despite the fact that disaster like flood affects everyone equally, we can only see black men and women in the line. This further adds that there was a big difference between the economic condition of white and black Americans. Although the picture shows white people living happy and lavish life, it was not always true. Many white people, along with the blacks, did not have job and had low economic condition.

Margaret-Bourke was successful in creating irony in the picture by depicting the disconnection between the words on the billboard and the condition of people in the line. It reflected the suffering of the African-American neighborhoods. It also explained the fact that high living standard was confined to the white and the rich. The single image is able to explain the life style of American during 1920s and 1930s.

References

Harding, John T. "From The Great Depression To The Great Recession." Phi Kappa Phi Forum90.1 (2010): 22. Business Source Complete. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.

Zhang, Yi. "The Great Depression: Breadline And World’s Highest Standard Of Living." Modern American History. N.p., 10 Mar 2011. Web. 21 Nov 2013. .

Sharp, Gwen. "WORLD’S HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING (IF YOU’RE WHITE AND NOT POOR)." Socio-logical Images. N.p., 31 May 2008. Web. 21 Nov 2013. .

Cosgrove, Ben . "Behind the Picture: ‘The American Way’ and the Flood of ’37 Read more: ‘The American Way’: Photos From the Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 | LIFE.com <http://life.time.com/behind-the-picture/the-american-way-photos-from-the-great-ohio-river-flood-of-1937/>