Harvest of Shame

We watched the 1960 documentary "Harvest of Shame" by Edward R. Murrow in my broadcast writing class. If you haven't ever watched it, I suggest it to you. I couldn't find it on youtube, but you might be able to find it at your local library. It was made in 1960 and aired the day after Thanksgiving. It was an eye-opening awakening as to how farmlaborers lived in those days. The number one question that kept popping through my mind was if any of the same conditions exist today, or if the government had had the gumptions to change some of the regulations that were leaving farm laborers so exposed to exploitation. I was shocked to discover that though some things have changed there are still some laws that were so very obviously brought about by the well-paid lobbyists of the agricultural industry. For example: child labor laws don't apply to the agricultural industry, minimum wage or at least a modified minimum wage does not apply to the agricultural industry, requirements for kids to go to school does not apply,though they are trying to start a program where laptops are supplied to the kids so they can do online school and still work; which to me is even more disgusting. Kids shouldn't be working 12 hours a day! Farms don't have to supply health care or housing or amenities or anything for these people. It is sad to me the power lobbyists hold in Washington.