Knowledge can be challenging. Striving toward change—even more so.
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The Only Way Out for Appalachia’s Coalfields
The boom and bust cycles of coal markets have always worked to the advantage of coal companies more than Appalachian communities. In some of Central Appalachia’s coal-producing counties,…
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Exploiting Appalachia’s Heroes
Since I left the mines and joined the ranks of people fighting for justice in our world, I’ve met many people who I consider to be honest-to-God heroes.…
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Appalachia’s Coalfields Weren’t Always Red
Since the last presidential election, I’ve witnessed a near constant stream of ridicule against Appalachian people who voted for Trump, “They are getting what they deserve,” “They had…
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Stereotyping Appalachians Feeds Only the Coal Industry
Trump won the vote in Appalachia because people are tired of being looked down upon. Considering the work of powerful industry interests, a century’s worth of negative stereotyping,…
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A Few Thoughts on Climate Change
Let’s face it…climate change has become so heavily politicized in coal country that it’s nearly impossible to have an intelligent conversation about it. If people even get so…
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With Liberty and Justice for All*
The following is an excerpt from a reflection I wrote December 2015. It was a warm afternoon when we arrived in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Our Blue Toyota Corolla…
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Voting against their best interests
People ask me “Why do Appalachians vote against their own best interests?” Some are friends who are honestly trying to understand the situation from a point of concern.…
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Appalachians Have Lost More Than Coal, We’ve Lost Who We Are
Over the past few years, we have witnessed an amazing downturn in the coal industry. Mines all throughout Appalachia have closed, leaving thousands of coal miners and their…
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Appalachia’s Captive Workforce
To believe that the coal industry has given up their desire for cheap, expendable labor, is, for the lack of a better term—ridiculous.
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The Manipulation of Southern Pride
When I was a teenager, I went to a meeting of the new Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter in my home town. I quickly became caught up in…