Not easy being green

This is an old clip (note the reference to Earth Day) over at Momversation that I’ve been meaning to write about. It deals with one of the key issues for me in that how “green” (I am starting to hate that word–and it’s my favorite color) you are is heavily influenced by where you live and your economic circumstances.

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The way it was

When we start getting all worked up over the financial crisis and economic “suffering” this country is going through, it’s sometimes helpful to gain some perspective by looking at the past.

That was my reaction to viewing selections from the Library of Congress’ collection of photos taken during the Great Depression.

Bud Fields and his family at their home in Alabama, 1935.

A project of the Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information, the federal government employed photographers to document the everyday lives of people across the country. The photo above was taken by Walker Evans.

I’m not saying that there aren’t people suffering in this country, now. But there is simply not a large number of us facing the forced migration, hunger and homelessness or deprivation of that period. Many people who considered themselves the fortunate ones made do with a lot less than most of us are currently used to today. (Not all of the photos depict poverty. Many, if not most, are just a glimpse into everyday life during that time. This one, with it’s pointed reference to “square dealings” was my favorite.)

It’s a good reality check, as well as an interesting look at history, to give the archive a glance.

History geeks take note:  Matt Raymond, the Library’s Director of Communication writes a really awesome blog if you like this kind of thing. I am a history junkie and could spend hours looking at this kind of stuff.