Lewis W. Hine: Exposure ("get father a watch")

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Blind beggar, Lawton, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, April 1917

Blinded by the light

And then it is
the night -- the street -- exposure
to the past -- to history

the spoils -- the same -- once
again, over again
the same --

just later -- he was born
blind
mister

Blind beggar, Lawton, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, April 1917



John Dowers, 7 years old, lives at 108 W. Frisco St. Starts out at 5 a.m. some days. Father is blind and sells newspapers. John is a pretty good beggar. Was seen trying to borrow a dollar from the bank to "get father a watch" (father is blind). Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, 4 March 1917



Play-time at the Oklahoma School for the Blind. Children have a great deal of freedom. Muskogee, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, March 1917



Some original play houses conceived and executed by girls at the Oklahoma School for the Blind, Muskogee, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, March 1917



Blind man and his youthful guide, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: photo by Lewis W. Hine, April 1917

Photos from National Child Labor Committee Collection, Library of Congress