What I’m Reading

What I’m Reading today includes two stories on migration from America and Europe. And I’ll close the post with a photography video that is as peaceful as it is educational and entertaining. Today’s first story combines migration and child labor into an emotional read that will take you about an hour (there’s an audio version available that runs just under the hour mark). The Kids on the Night Shift is worth that commitment. Hannah Dreier (writing) and Meridith Kohut (photography) provide an important look at what happens to minors who come to the United States in hopes of supporting their struggling families south of the border. The children Dreier and Kohut met are not only separated from their parents and aware their financial contribution is the lifeline their parents need, but they also work dangerous jobs. They work jobs children aren’t allowed to hold in the United States. The main face in this story is a 14-year-old boy whose life in America began as a part of a cleaning crew for a slaughterhouse. The writing is powerful and very descriptive. The portrayal of the working conditions underlines the importance and pushes readers to connect with the humanitarian side of the issue. Be warned: the description of the terrible accident this young boy suffers is rather vivid.But if you read to the end, you’ll likely agree that there’s a glimmer of hope for his future. I’ll leave the details of his fate and the well-explained complexity of the issue for your reading. You’ll hear why people in the system chose not to act when they realized minors worked jobs they shouldn’t be working and how the presence of journalists impacted the situation.

Wabsite