Jacob Lawrence painted this in 1943 as part of his effort to show the lives of African Americans. His parents were migrants and they migrated during The Great Migration. He was born in 1917 and as a teenager he started his passion for art to express himself and his feelings. He was also a teacher. He was the first African American artist that artwork was in the MOMA.
Jacob Lawrence shows the issues immigrants faced through this piece of art. They had to carry everything and walk with the anxiety of how their lives would change. They were probably nervous of how they would integrate into the new culture, what job they would have, and how they would be treated by others as a immigrant. But, we see some of their hope and excitement for the new opportunities they would encounter through the lens of this art. The sky is blue and a few of them are looking forward to it with the big steps they are taking. On the other hand, we also see the hardships the younger children are facing as they are looking down and burdened with the walking and carrying the bags.
