It's not clear where this photo was taken or its purpose. A watermelon is being stored in the cellar and three boys are salivating and hoping they can sneak a bite? I like that.....But it's so close to the post-Civil War period. I can't help but wonder if they are sharecroppers. Slavery may not have been legal in the 1890s, but in the south especially, African Americans often went from slavery straight to sharecropping (along with poor whites), which was a form of forced labor. Most were too poor to do little more. According to historian W.E.B. Dubois, "The slave went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again toward slavery."
Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl; [Gravseth family archive; Cosmopolitan and New educational series 1890s]
source: http://www.americanhistoryusa.com/slavery-to-serfdom-black-people-new-south/
Sharon M. Himsl
Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing
Sharon M. Himsl
Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing
My mouth is watering. I love watermelons, and in fact, I forgot I have one in the refrigerator in the garage. Best get it and bring it in. Thanks for the reminder. Think that'll be my breakfast. Enjoyed the picture and the post. Where do you find these great pictures? Have a great weekend, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteWe used to do the same with snitching tomatoes from the garden. My mom was anti-picking and munching, lol! It was for the family.
ReplyDeleteEconomy and the need to take care of your family's basic needs have created some tough choices. You do what you gotta do. :-)
Kathy - Good to hear from you. I inherited 69 photos (stereoviews) and one stereoscope from my mother. I'm having a ton of fun displaying them! I'm glad watermelons are finally in the stores.
ReplyDeleteSia - Happy to meet you :) A lot of people are planting home gardens. I am, but happen to enjoy gardening. Thanks for stopping by...Visiting yours next!
Great image.
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