Arthur Rothstein’s "Eddie Mitchell, Unemployed Youth"

1940

Rothstein’s photograph highlights hiring discrimination against young Black men.

One of Arthur Rothstein’s (1915–1985) first assignments as a photographer for Look magazine was to photograph Eddie Mitchell. In this photograph, Mitchell leans against a wooden pole while adjusting his tie. Mitchell’s clothing does not reveal that he is unemployed

Whether worn in defiance or used for self-expression, clothes have been a vital tool for African Americans. For generations, Black men have used fashion to mask their daily hardships. Later, Mitchell was interviewed by the NAACP’s official magazine, The Crisis, about his difficulty finding employment. The article highlights hiring discrepancies between Black and white youths.