How did Woody Guthrie use folk music to express the concerns of rural and working-class Americans?

Woody Guthrie used folk music as a powerful medium to chronicle the struggles of rural and working-class Americans, particularly during the Great Depression. Having experienced firsthand the hardships of the Dust Bowl and the displacement of "Okies" migrating to California, he gave voice to the dispossessed through songs like "Dust Bowl Refugee" and "Do Re Mi."1

Guthrie’s approach was rooted in empathy and activism. He rejected fatalistic music, instead crafting songs intended to instill pride in the common person and their labor. As a key figure in the Almanac Singers, he utilized his platform to support labor movements, attack fascism, and advocate for humanitarian causes. His work often highlighted the resilience of the downtrodden, whether through compositions supporting federal electrification projects or anthems like "This Land Is Your Land," which later became a pillar of the civil rights movement. By documenting the realities of the working class, Guthrie transformed personal suffering into a collective call for dignity and social justice.1