Buddy Can You Spare A Dime... Photo

Photographer’s Note

From the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington DC, sculpture by George Segal. Straight out of the camera.

FDR was elected President of the United States in 1932, in the midst of the "Great Depression" that followed the stock market crash of 1929. Approximately 1/4 of the US labor force was unemployed at the time of FDR's election.

Soup kitchens were organized by private charities to feed the unfortunate, who waited in long lines as represented by this sculpture, for a simple meal. What would you be feeling, standing behind these men on a cold winter day, waiting for charity to releave your gnawing hunger?

FDR served four terms as President through the difficult challenges present during the depression and WWII despite partial paralysis from Polio contracted in 1921. He died in office in April of 1945.

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mustang8573 (145) 2005-03-05 0:02

Ha...I was there when you took that. Great photo. The snow does an awesome job of helping with the gloomy time perioud that statue was meant to capture. It really makes you feel like you're part of the picture.

seneca77 (405) 2005-03-05 0:22

Welcome to TrekEarth, Timothy! Very nice debut photo. I like the monochromatic look, as well as the composition. The snow falling really makes the statues "fit" the scene. My only suggestion would be on your note...those of us in the U.S. know all about the Depression and Roosevelt's role in getting the country out of it, but you may want to expand on it for the benefit of those outside the U.S. or who don't know what happened in the 30s. Well done, keep posting!

Cat (0) 2005-03-05 22:41 [Comment]