Read on Twitter
One of the reasons for this trip was that I wanted to see if the poverty and opioid epidemic that the news talks about having a strangle hold on this part of our country was true...
As I got into the coal mining areas of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia it was very sobering https://twitter.com/steveconaway1/status/1320916718215114752">https://twitter.com/stevecona...
As I got into the coal mining areas of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia it was very sobering https://twitter.com/steveconaway1/status/1320916718215114752">https://twitter.com/stevecona...
I happened upon an old mining town deep in the mountains. Majority of the houses were dilapidated, with over grown yards, a disarray of half assembled cars in the drive, and falling down fences. Only upon second look did I realize some of these houses were still being lived in.
Once beautiful and ornate homes were left unattended. As front porches sagged or fell down, nature took over in that spot.
‘No trespassing’ or ‘Beware of Dog’ signs littered almost every property in their bright lettering, regardless if it was occupied by humans or not.
‘No trespassing’ or ‘Beware of Dog’ signs littered almost every property in their bright lettering, regardless if it was occupied by humans or not.
I took a turn and found myself at a dead end with a wide array of houses that were thankfully not being occupied, but were all being reclaimed by foliage. As I turned around i glanced over at an old falling down trailer house I originally thought was unoccupied until I saw 3
obese gentlemen sitting on the front porch with hollow set eyes, smoking the day away and starring in befuddlement. I waved my acknowledgement and we shared a smile together as they waved back. Others I saw would also stare at me in passive acceptance of a stranger in their town.
Over looking the town like a beacon of hope was a stereotypical church, steeple pointing to the heavens, beckoning those hopeless into hope it could provide.
Driving the incline to where it sat, I realized it had been converted to a home & there was no hope left for it to give.
Driving the incline to where it sat, I realized it had been converted to a home & there was no hope left for it to give.
After a few more curves down the road, I past a once magnificent building I can only assume to be a central headquarters for a coal mine. It is now vandalized and decades past it’s hay-day of being the cornerstone to economic freedom and prosperity for those living in this valley
Even a school along this meandering trail had been forgotten about, vandalized, and left to the elements. To me, this seemed to be a laugh in the face to anyone who may have thought an education could help them leave and try their luck outside the prison walls of the mountains.
Where I’m from highway billboards advertise seed companies, crop fertilizers, insurance providers, or local car dealerships.
The thoroughfare in and out of this town had a billboard reminding everyone to file for black lung benefits - a good reminder of their added difficulties
The thoroughfare in and out of this town had a billboard reminding everyone to file for black lung benefits - a good reminder of their added difficulties
The only sign of the 21st century reaching into this valley was the railroad carrying the once valuable, but now ‘dirty’ coal out. The trains seemed to have been a steady roar reverberating off the mountains reminding everyone what the backbone of their entire existence relied on
What I saw supported the narrative of what I had heard and read about before. This trip provided real images for me to call up in my mind when others talk about this area. The best way to describe what I saw was life, but no energy and little hope for what the future held.
Many of the folks I saw, waved at, or interacted with through Appalachia were doing what they could to survive in their corner of our world. These folks were some of the nicest along my journey, even more accepting than self proclaimed ‘tolerant’/‘accepting’ locations I stayed at
The world outside of these coal valleys are trying to get rid of an industry these mining towns have spent generations working and developing deep roots in. Economic prosperity can be pulled out from under them, but they still aren’t going to move because their roots run deeper.
Even though it was an eye opening experience to me, I couldn’t blame them or look down my nose at them, if anything I found myself relating to them. This was the only life they knew. Their family, history, home, and livelihood resided within the mountains and what it offered them
Along the way I stopped at a gas station & stepped inside to pay cash. I heard the gal next to me ask the cashier for 2 packs of cigarettes. Her daughter was having her 6th birthday party that night and the cigarettes would help her make it through the party without going crazy.
Surviving through less than ideal economic situations was a choice they’re willing to make because abandoning history, roots, family, and ‘normal life’ can be a much harder psychological battle to conquer than figuring out coping mechanisms to get through life without going crazy
Like them, I’m unwilling to move out of my general area because all I’ve known is based here at ‘home’. Like them, I’ve found addictions & crutches to make it through struggles of daily life.
We are 1000s of miles apart physically, but we had more similarities than differences.
We are 1000s of miles apart physically, but we had more similarities than differences.
Through it all, I noticed a very warming sense of patriotism & love of one’s country. Many homes, corners, & businesses had Old Glory proudly flying. Even if other parts of the country have turned their backs on them, they hadn’t turned their back to our country. It was inspiring
