In this unit, you learned about the unjust treatment and dangerous conditions faced by American garment workers in the early 20th century. The tragedy of the Triangle Fire brought attention to the plight of workers and led to reforms across the country, as witnesses and local leaders fought for new laws to protect the rights and safety of workers.
Because of these new laws and regulations, many people assume that conditions for garment workers in the United States today are significantly better than those faced by the women who worked in the Triangle Factory. However, reports by the United States Department of Labor demonstrate that problems in the garment industry persist today.
Using information from Flesh and Blood So Cheap and additional informational texts, write an op-ed for your local newspaper taking a position on the following question: Are conditions for garment workers significantly better today than they were in the early 20th century?
The op-ed should consist of an introduction, two body paragraphs with evidence from at least three sources, a conclusion paragraph, and a bibliography.
In preparation for answering this question, take notes on the conditions faced by garment workers (in sweatshops and factories) in the early 20th century from Flesh and Blood So Cheap, pages 68–74. Be sure to include the page number where you found the information.