Brawley, Imperial Valley, in FSA migratory labor camp 1939

Curator: Dorothea Lange's photograph, "Brawley, Imperial Valley, in FSA migratory labor camp," captures a family standing before their tent. The image conveys a sense of resilience despite hardship. Editor: There is such a strong feeling of dignity in their faces, although they've been displaced. I see the parents' protective stance and the children’s varying expressions, as a cultural commentary on the dustbowl era. Curator: The family's clothing, though worn, speaks to their attempts to maintain normalcy amidst displacement and poverty. Their shared gaze confronts the viewer, asserting their humanity. Editor: The image has a timeless quality, referencing imagery of the Madonna and child, while also highlighting the cyclical nature of economic hardship and migration throughout history. Curator: Absolutely, and Lange's documentation became pivotal in shaping policy and public perception during that tumultuous time in American history, as it relates to socioeconomic reform. Editor: It reminds me that the symbols of home and family are enduring, despite circumstances, embodying hope and perseverance.