The Great Depression affected people of all races and income levels. It seemed no one was exempt from the emotional and economic toll of the crisis. Lives were turned upside down and many didn't know how to deal with the situation. With the financial collapse, kids lost college funds and families lost their homes. The families had to resort to building a shelter in any way possible. In almost all states, communities were erected consisting of shelters made of crates and sheet metal; these communities were known as “Hoovervilles” (Leuchtenburg, p. 251). Others sought refuge in caves, underpasses and under bridges (Leuchtenburg, p. 252). The life savings of many were lost before anyone could understand what was happening. Many businesses also felt the impact of the Depression, as financing dried up and businesses closed their doors (Kennedy, p. 163). Iron and steel production slowed to unprecedented levels (Kennedy, p. 163). Industries such as construction and automotive were hit hard, as were the companies that supplied them (Kennedy, p. 163). Farmers in rural America were displaced by drought and falling crop prices. Things were so difficult that the only alternative was to pack up and move to other states in search of work (FDR and the Depression video). Men and women suffered from unemployment and reduced wages (Kennedy, p. 163). The average demographic of the person being rescued was white males in their thirties, usually unskilled and uneducated (Kennedy, p. 166). For many, job loss lasted two years or more, causing emotional distress and loss of self-respect (Kennedy, p. 166). They felt that their wives and children did not revere them as they once did since they lost their place as providers and... middle of paper... to people of color and do not hate them. You know as well as I do that many white people hate colored people, so I couldn't ask just anyone, like a white girl would..." ("Letters: Demands for Money"). The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 was the New Deal for the Indian nation. The new policy was intended to alleviate the injustices suffered by Indians at the hands of the government, as well as to force them to assimilate into Western society. to live on reserves too small to support them (Kennedy, p. 379). Human suffering penetrated every part of society and directly or indirectly affected the lives of millions of people. The depression became deeper and lasted longer than anyone would have could have predicted.