Discrimination during the Great Depression – Kathy P.

Although many were fighting to survive together, no matter their race or affiliation, discrimination ran rampant. Those who were facing hard times chose to take their frustrations out on the men or women who were different. This bred resentment and violence towards those who were on the receiving end of the discrimination.

The Great Depression brought bad feelings toward the nation’s elite, typically white men, and allowed for a more diverse leadership to emerge. During this period, Will Rogers, a Cherokee Indian and a movie star rose to the position of advisor to President Roosevelt. Will Roger’s unusual popularity as a minority in a prominent position opened the door for other minorities to begin seeking leadership roles in society. He also was successful in helping Roosevelt promote the “New Deal” to the American public. Although discrimination did not go away, and in many circumstances it increased, people of many cultures and socio-economic backgrounds were thrown together with similar circumstances rooted in unemployment. Discrimination was not reserved for race minorities, but included women. White women could expect to earn 61% what a white man earned. A black woman earned only 23% what a white man earned. Black Americans, men and women, suffered twice as much as whites during the Great Depression. Black unemployment was 50% compared to only 25% for white unemployment. Mexicans also expected to earn less than their white counterparts. It was common for Mexican children to earn a third of the families’ total income, often working hard physical labor in the agriculture industry.