Migrant Workers

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Migrant Workers

• By Marlen Monica Esquivel

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On the way to
the promised land of migrant dreams
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On the way to a better life
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• After the drought, the dust storms, and during
  the Great Depression, California became
  overcrowded and overrun with migrants looking for
  work.
• Thousands of farmers packed up everything they
  owned into their cars, trucks and wagons.
• Many had very difficult journeys along the way.

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• The migrants were generically known as Okies
  referring to the approximately 20 who were from
  Oklahoma.
• Migrant represented in Voices from the Dust Bowl
  came primarily from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas,
  and Missouri.
• Most were of Anglo-American descent wit cultural
  roots in the poor rural South.
• The workers lived in temporary camps as they
  moved from farm to farm to follow seasonal work.
• Even with an entire family working, migrants
  could not support themselves.

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But why California?

• The state has a mild climate that allows for a
  long growing season and a diversity of crops with
  spread planting and harvesting cycles, so, many
  refugees pinned their hopes for a better life
  there.
• This seemed like the ideal place to look for
  work, for those whose lives had revolved around
  farming.

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• When they were not working or looking for work,
  or tending to the civil and domestic operations
  of the camp, migrants found time to engage in
  recreational activities.
• Singing and making music took place in private
  and public spaces.
• The music performed by migrants came from a
  number of different sources.

The Brown Girl
Sunny Cal
Little Mohee

• In addition to songs and instrumental
• music, migrants enjoyed dancing and part taking
  in singing games accompanied by dance-like
  movements.

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Bibliography
Images Google.com
The Migrant Experience http//lcweb2.loc.gov/amme
m/afctshtml/tsme.html