Knowledge can be challenging. Striving toward change—even more so.
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Coalfield Gentrification Brings New Challenges and Hope
Gentrification can make life harder for locals already facing adversity in Appalachia’s coalfields. It could also bring new hope.
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TECO Coal
Chances are, if you live in the coal producing counties of East Kentucky and Southwest Virginia, you’ve heard of TECO Coal. Most folks around here pronounce it Teek-Oh.…
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Thoughts of a Coal Miner Returns
Some folks may have noticed I took the blog down last year. Given the site stats, I’m guessing not many did. Site analytics showed that it was averaging…
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Can We Change? Will We Change?
It’s no secret that I’ve become a bit of a cynic. Read some of my previous posts, and you’ll see I have a lot to say about the…
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It’s Not a Left or Right Thing. It’s a Money Thing.
I believe that most people in this nation agree there is too much money in politics. Robin Williams once said that “Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like Nascar…
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Thoughts on writing, privilege, scholarly activism, and the future of Appalachia
I popped over to Ken Ward’s blog Coal Tattoo and noticed he hadn’t written anything in almost a year and a half. I know the feeling. My last…
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Dear Trump Supporters…
I wanted to take a moment to speak with everyone regarding Trump. Life’s been tough in rural America. It always has been. We’ve been the ones who built…
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Some Things Worth Remembering on National Miner’s Day
While it is certainly important to lift up those who provide the energy and materials necessary for others to enjoy their comforts and conveniences, we must be careful…
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A Letter to J.D. Vance
Dear Mr. Vance, I read your book Hillbilly Elegy last year. Actually, my family and I listened to it as a free trial on Audible while traveling back…
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The Love-Hate Relationship of Exporting Appalachian Coal
Since the fall of the steel industry in this country, the majority of Appalachia’s metallurgical coal reserves have been going overseas. Some goes to Europe to foundries producing…