Comparing Poverty in America

The first picture was taken during the Ford Hunger March which was a demonstration by unemployed auto workers in 1932, who intended to make demands of the factory owner Henry Ford, such as rehiring of the unemployed, health care and an end to racial discrimination. The march started in Detroit, and is known as the Ford Massacre as five workers were killed, by security guards and police officers.

The second image is a modern day protest in Detroit. The protest is being held because over fifteen thousand resident’s water supplies were cut off after they were unable to pay. Both pictures show poor citizens fighting for rights, which are being denied to them and both marches were organised by workers associations, and in those way they are very similar.

After the great depression the average wage for an auto worker in Detroit was cut by over 50% and in 2013 Detroit filed for bankruptcy both pictures show how an economic downturn can effect citizens.