Sangaramoorthy in Barn Raiser: The Unseen Workers Behind Maryland’s Iconic Blue Crabs (Series, 2/6)

The second article of Thurka Sangaramoorthy’s six-part series in partnership with Barn Raiser was released this Tuesday. Read an excerpt from The Unseen Workers Behind Maryland’s Iconic Blue Crabs below:

Few things symbolize Maryland’s culinary heritage more perfectly than blue crabs. Every summer, locals and tourists gather around newspaper-covered tables, armed with wooden mallets and picks, ready to crack open steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay. These festive crab feasts represent more than just a meal—they’re cultural rituals where conversations flow, relationships deepen and Maryland’s maritime identity is celebrated.

Yet behind this beloved tradition lies a largely invisible workforce: the Mexican women who meticulously pick the sweet meat from these crustaceans, making Maryland’s iconic crab cakes and other delicacies possible.

This series — Rethinking Immigration and Health in Rural America — translates the concepts and theories first published in her 2023 book, Landscapes of Care, for a broader, public audience at a time when better understandings of immigrant realities are as urgent as ever.

Barn Raiser is an outlet which supports “trusted, independent journalism spotlighting critical issues and amplifying the diverse voices shaping the future of rural communities.”

Look out for new articles in this series over the coming weeks.