The Depression affected different economic and social classes in different ways. The experience of the Great Depression obviously had a negative impact on the country as a whole, but certain groups in society still managed to thrive. In addition to economic and social class, geographic location also played a role in Americans' experience during the Depression. Unlucky citizens who lived in the Great Plains states were also dealing with the effects of the Dust Bowl at this time. Some citizens were fortunate to find themselves in depression-proof jobs, such as the cigarette and shoe manufacturing industries (Kennedy, p. 163). However, most people have had to adapt to a new norm of seeking a subsistence level, or even lower-wage employment, and struggling to find food and shelter. The plight of families, factory workers, farmers, businessmen and minorities has been well documented during the Great Depression, and their experience reflects one of the darkest periods in American history. Harry Hopkins, who was President Roosevelt's Federal Relief Administrator, sent Lorena Hickok to travel. the country and talk to average Americans so the federal government can get a sense of the suffering. Hickok had previously been a reporter while Roosevelt was on the campaign trail and developed a close personal relationship with his wife Eleanor. Hickok was even accompanied by Eleanor on certain stages of his journey. The mission was to discover the extent of the suffering and what was needed to alleviate it with regular reports to Hopkins. These experiences of Hickok took a negative toll on her. At one point, she told Hopkins that she was beginning to agree with some of the people she met that a fascism... middle of paper... and large black populations . In short, things were bad for minorities during the Depression and did not improve even when the rest of the country began to recover. In conclusion, the Depression affected all demographics of American society, some worse than others. There was also a psychological impact felt by families and children as the dynamics of the typical American household changed. Men were not always able to provide for their families and felt more respected by their wives and children. Lorena Hickok's work has provided the government and now historians with an accurate description of what the average American experienced during the Depression. York: Oxford University Press: 1999.