Riis used powerful photography and vivid descriptions to showcase the poverty, overcrowding, and disease that plagued these communities. He aimed to shock the public into action, compelling them to acknowledge the plight of the poor and advocate for better living conditions, improved sanitation, and social justice.
He wanted to show the "other half" of society, the invisible population living in dire circumstances, and bring about change by:
* Raising awareness about the plight of the poor: Riis' book helped to open the eyes of the wealthy and middle class to the realities of poverty in their own city.
* Inspiring social reform: Riis' work led to significant improvements in housing, sanitation, and public health in New York City.
* Advocating for better housing conditions: Riis' vivid portrayal of overcrowded tenement buildings and the dangers they posed contributed to the passage of tenement reform laws.
In short, Jacob Riis' book "How the Other Half Lives" was a powerful call for social justice and a driving force behind the progressive movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.