Brianna Schow

American Civilization
Dueling Document
Two Views of the Forgotten Man
These documents take place during the Great Depression. They both seem to be on the same side
of the argument; however, the article written by the reporter mentions a little part about the wealthier
marginal families during this time period while the other talks mainly about the poor shiftless.
In the first document she writes about the suffering of taking care of a farm with little to no help.
The help she does receive is from those on relief hours who are so worthless that no one can even afford
to pay them. She also talks about helping those who actually need it, and those who are abusing the help
given. We all need help sometimes in our lives, even to this day there are struggles, but if you are not
willing to help yourself then how can you expect anyone else to help you? A square deal for all and then,
let each paddle their own canoe, or sink (Hardin, par. 1).
The second document is written by a reporter who seems to agree with Hardin in the idea that
there are those who really need the help. Many people of the skilled labor class actually turn their
heads to the relief for reasons so small such as their pride. Starving their children and causing
psychological damage. The doctors during this time period are considered marginal families who have
not yet had to experience relief efforts first hand; although, they do see patients coming in on relief and
those not on relief. They mentioned in her article that the patients coming in that are not on relief are
much worse than those on it (Hickok).
These articles demonstrate different view-points to this issue. I can relate this topic to some
things I have experience in my lifetime. The poor qualify for welfare and Medicaid, while the rich stay
rich and the middle class barely get by. I do not mind paying taxes to help those in need. It is when you
see those people abusing that help, such as the example given in Hardins letter about the family paying
no rent and owing everyone money while using up everyones resources, that create discouragement in
helping society.
Works Cited
Hardin, Minnie A. (Columbus, Ind.) to Mrs. F.D. Roosevelt, December 14, 1937, reprinted in
Andrew Carroll, ed., Letters of a Nation: A Collection of Extraordinary American Letters (New York,
1997).
Hickok, Lorena to Harry Hopkins, January 1, 1935, reprinted in Richard Lowitt and Maurine
Beasley, eds., One Third of a Nation: Lorena Hickok Reports on the Great Depression (Urbana, IL,
1981),pp. 351-365.