The Overnighters Sociology

The Overnighters takes place in Williston, North Dakota. At the time the movie is being filmed, the North Dakota oil industry is booming. Oil companies there need many more workers, and this call is heard throughout the country. People from as far as Florida nationally and Uganda internationally travel to North Dakota to try and find jobs. Often with no other option, they leave behind their families, friends, and communities. To ensure that those they care about are well cared for, they need the money that these oil jobs will hopefully provide. The jobs are rumored to pay around 15 dollars an hour, which is more than even some skilled workers are paid, so the opportunity is certainly enticing. Potential workers flood into North Dakota, one town in which is the town of Williston. Williston’s community can be described as mostly white, Christian, and not very open to new ideas or new people, just like many isolated American towns. Williston also seems to be a hub through which people can find work. The people travelling there take their RVs and campers because they know there’s no way they’ll be able to sleep anywhere besides in their cars, let …show more content…
He initially only let ten of fifteen stay, but this eventually expanded to hundreds. He evolved the small acts of generosity into a full-fledged church program called the Overnighters program. As long as the people who came up to him and asked him for a place to stay attended church and followed a few other guidelines, he’d give them floor space or space in the church parking lot. They could stay there for a few nights while they found work, and would then find their own places to live once they did. Many people who used to be homeless and who used to have to stay at the church said that the pastor was a kind man, and that no one cared about them like he