Muckrakers

In 1906 president Theodore Roosevelt used the term “muckrakers” to refer to journalist who in his opinion had gone too far in the pursuit of their stories.   The term in today’s society reflects upon those who are known to “search out and publicly expose real or apparent misconduct of a prominent individual or business.”   Investigative journalist Jessica Mitford takes the accusation that she is a “muckraker” with great pride. To be considered a “muckraker” should be taken with honor. These are the people that formed our society by changing working conditions and informing our consumers.
Imagine a family so desperate for a source of income, that they would send their small child to work in a factory. Small children were used as a cheap source of labor, but instead they should be in school. Children were once used to work the machines that require small hands. However this is very dangerous also. Some children that simply mis stepped could fall into a machine which caused severe injury such as a lost limb or even resulted in death. Alongside the children women were also used as a cheap source of labor. Even though women work the same jobs and just as much as men they were paid nowhere near the amount men were paid. Jacob Riis, a photographer from the progressive era, was considered a “muckraker.” Riis exposed the working conditions in factories for what the really were. Among his photographs are images of children who are exhausted and starving. His photos were later used to support labor unions and the movement for better working conditions. As a result of this better working conditions were set in place. People had achieved their ten hour work day and higher wages.
As with working conditions, “muckrakers” also informed our consumers. Consumers during those times were unaware of the contents of their products. Producers of this era searched for the most efficient way to save money but still produce in mass quantities. Many companies would sell only half the true...