Jacob Riis was a journalist and photographer who dedicated great part of his life to the promotion of social reforms that would bring greater equality to American society.
In the phrase "the elements God meant to be free, but man deals out with such hand", Riis refers to the manipulation of the natural order of things by man which, in this case, creates economic models that favor the enrichment of businessmen that represent a minority in the population, at the expense of the vast majorities which live of their labor.
In the phrase "poverty's honest badge", Riis refers to the valid claims of working-class majorities, which see themselves facing the lack of benefits and services in order to live more decent lives.
Jacob Riis was a renowned American journalist who was also involved in the photography of social documentaries. He was actively involved in social reforms in order to transform society.
Jacob Riis wanted to convey the idea that man is trying to manipulate nature and control others with the intention of gaining profits for business people. Hence, nature is being exploited at the cost of its labor lives that are under the control of these business persons.
The phrase implies the sufferings of the working class who are being exploited but still lack standard living conditions and facilities.
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