Riis wasn't always a social advocate, though - he actually started his career as a police reporter, covering crime and violence in the city. But after seeing the devastating conditions people were living in, he knew he had to use his words to make a difference. He's like a real-life superhero, using his powers for good instead of evil.
So, what made How the Other Half Lives so groundbreaking? For starters, it was one of the first books to use photography as a way to tell a story and convey a message. Riis's photos of overcrowded tenements, dirty streets, and exhausted workers were like a punch to the gut, making it impossible for readers to ignore the reality of poverty. It's like he was saying, hey, wake up, people - this is what's really going on!
The book also sparked a lot of conversation and controversy when it was first published. Some people were like, yes, finally, someone is talking about this!, while others were all, no, this is too negative, too pessimistic. But Riis didn't let that stop him - he kept on writing, kept on advocating, and eventually, his work led to some major reforms in housing and labor laws.
Amazon | How the Other Half Lives | Riis, Jacob | Jewish
