Rodenko describes his experiences in a camp for conscientious objectors during World War II. The camp Rodenko stayed at was in Colorado, but several such camps were scattered around the nation. Rodenko explains that these work camps, which were run by the Selective Service, were organized by the federal government to stave off anti-war activism and organization. For Rodenko and other conscientious objectors, these years were formative in terms of developing a political consciousness regarding pacifism and civil disobedience. According to Rodenko, this experience helped to form ideas about civil rights and racism later on.