Download The Boys in the Bunkhouse: Servitude and Salvation in the Heartland by Dan Barry PDF
Key ideas from the book
- The men lived for decades in exploitative conditions in Atalissa, Iowa.
- Their experiences included neglect, abuse, and isolation, as well as memories of hope and moments of joy.
- State social workers, local journalists, and a labor lawyer helped bring their situation to light and pursue justice.
- The court case drew attention to fair pay and working conditions for people with disabilities.
- The account examines how a community could remain unaware of prolonged exploitation.
About The Boys in the Bunkhouse: Servitude and Salvation in the Heartland by Dan Barry
In Atalissa, Iowa, dozens of men with intellectual disabilities lived and worked for more than thirty years under deeply exploitative conditions. They were housed in an old schoolhouse and sent to a nearby turkey-processing plant, where they received food, lodging, and $65 a month. Dan Barry recounts the neglect and abuse they endured, alongside the memories and hopes they held onto.
Drawing on extensive interviews, Barry follows the efforts of state social workers, local journalists, and a labor lawyer to help the men find justice and reclaim their lives. The account also examines how the town remained unaware of their circumstances and considers the consequences of the men’s court case for disability rights, fair pay, and working conditions.
This work of reported history will interest readers of disability-rights history, labor and social justice, and accounts of advocacy and legal change.
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