John Biggers used bright, contrasting colors to enliven the alleyway in The Garbage Man. As with many of his paintings from the 1940s, he focused on the realities of urban poverty caused by structural racism. At the same time, he drew attention to the humanity and resilience of the central African American figure. Biggers emphasized his muscled hands and depicted him mid-stride, pushing his cart forward. This gives the man a sense of agency, action, and resourcefulness.