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June 1938. Memphis, Tennessee. "H.L. Mitchell, Secretary of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. Union headquarters." Medium-format nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
I don't know how many ex-slaves he met 90 years after the Civil War, but I imagine it took some courage ride into a town and try to organize sharecroppers in that time.
This was one handsome, well put together man. Striking, even.
That can't be a really good negotiation opener, to say "I'm Harry Leland Mitchell from the STFU."
Especially if you're addressing the Wyoming Teamsters Fund.
OK, now, look noble. No, that's more confused than noble. Try again. Well, now you look kind of quizzical. look upwards toward this corner of the ceiling. Now give me a little bit of a worried look. No, not that worried -- we're not getting shot at dawn. Just a little concerned and pensive. No, keep looking toward that corner. OK, well, I guess that's the best we can do. Thanks.
Quite an interesting fellow with a long career in labor organizing -- lived until 1989. His entry in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
Yep, he's a union man alright.
If I had known this guy, I would have fallen head over heels in love with him, I just know it. Probably was "hard on the outside and soft on the inside" and who could resist that combination, plus that Kennedy hair and visage? His eyes show intelligence and pain.
Mitchell is indeed photogenic, and he knows it a bit too well. I'll bet his movie-star looks weren't appreciated by the dirt-poor sharecroppers and ex-slaves he was supposed to organize.
Wow! At first glance, I thought that was a young John Kennedy. Love the socks.
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