Field Notes 4

Here we see a family of Mexican migrant workers outside of their shack in the 1930's California. They spend their time outside thinking what other jobs they could do, or find, in order to bring in money so they can support their family of seven. Even if it means living in a poorly constructed shack for their Bosses

Children playing baseball in a Mexican slum located in 1930’s California. These children spend their time playing sports and do not worry about the economic disaster that just hit America; while a parent (seen in the background) is working with metal.

1933 California, 3 boys are sitting down on the back of a rusty, beat down truck in central California. The parents of these boys are crossing the state to a job location north of here. When I asked, “What do you do for a home?” they replied “This truck is our only home now.”

A man, shown here, is holding his child next to his car and little house in 1932 on the border of California and Nevada. This man is taking care of his only child while his wife is working as a servant for a rich White family in California. This man lost his job and is hiding from government officials so he will not get deported to Mexico and leave his only child alone.

1932 South California, here we see dozens of Mexican Americans being deported back to Mexico after the government issued a mass deportation of the Mexican race. Even children are left waiting here and some have been born in America and are legal Americans.

1933 Central California, here we see two families of Mexican Americans traveling in a small car to San Francisco, on their way to meet up with a man who is willing to give them jobs, at the cost of living in poor conditions. As I ask them why they go, they simply say “We need the job in order to provide for our family with anything they need during these difficult times.”