Some specific injustices that Jacob Riis documented include:
1. Overcrowded Tenements: Riis's photographs and descriptions highlighted the overcrowded and unsanitary tenement buildings where many immigrants and low-income families were forced to live. These tenements often lacked proper ventilation, lighting, and sanitation, leading to health problems and disease.
2. Child Labor: Riis exposed the widespread exploitation of children in labor-intensive industries, such as sweatshops and factories. Children worked long hours, often in unsafe and hazardous environments, and received meager wages.
3. Poor Working Conditions: Riis documented the hazardous and dangerous work conditions faced by many laborers and factory workers. He illustrated how accidents and injuries were commonplace and employers neglected workers' safety.
4. Urban Poverty: Riis shed light on the extreme poverty experienced by many city residents, particularly immigrants from Europe. He showcased their challenges in finding stable employment and securing decent housing, highlighting the urgent need for social assistance.
5. Social Neglect: Riis exposed the indifference of the upper and middle classes towards the struggles of the poor and the lack of government support for social welfare programs. He argued for social reforms to address these issues and improve the living conditions of the less fortunate.
Riis's work as a muckraker played a crucial role in bringing attention to these injustices and bringing about social change. His efforts directly influenced tenement house reform laws and contributed to the establishment of settlement houses, parks, and other public spaces for the benefit of the urban poor. His legacy continues to inspire subsequent generations of social activists and reformers in addressing social injustice.