How John Henry Became an American Folk Hero

[@dmbstash4119]

The story of John Henry is not some anti-technology or Luddite tale, though it's easy for someone to dismiss it as such. This is far more than just a tall tale. It reveals a truth about what it means to be American, what makes it a nation, and when these various races and groups from around the world come together, with nothing in common, tons of scars from the past, how could a group like that ever call itself a nation, what do they share, what culture could ever come from such a chaotic mess? Even our teachers and professors have fallen into the idea that we are only our scars, and we are only as good as our worst moments. John Henry is the perfect example to debunk that and show the real down to earth, day-to-day, true culture that has come out of all these different people coming to one place for the same thing. When they sent the Declaration of Independence off to King George, it was the birth of America, but not for everyone. John Henry's great grandfathers and mothers would not have felt their independence was declared that day. But because the words were so universally true, it didn't even take a century before the words became true for someone like John Henry too. So America may not have been born for John Henry in 1776, but both John Henry and George Washington were brothers in the same fight, both stood up to the machine in the jaws of defeat, and their resilience and tenacity turned insurmountable odds into upset victories. They both took a stand when the moment came in their very different lives, and made the choice to say "I am a free man, I was born free and I will die free before you have the chance to take it away from me." They were laughed at by those who were too arrogant and didn't understand the spirit that was in John Henry or George Washington. There are so many other stories of America but almost all of them boil down to that one thing... a declaration of independence... and the fight never ends. so remember what came before you, youre standing on the shoulders of John Henry and George Washingotn, when times get tough, you only get stronger.

[@ravendiez598]

Beautiful comment and great insight

[@oddball7483]

The SLAVES of ALL RACES that NO ONE talks about 😢 that built AMERICA and reperationist Quietly and conveniently FORGET ABOUT !!!

[@Qup1ter]

Many people don't know this but he WAS an actual MAN not just a folk tale

[@B_Rael]

He is an always a israelite

[@haaiitii]

Yes indeed

[@haaiitii]

@@B_Rael I’m black but how do know he was an Israelite? Please explain…..

[@tmfijiibeatz2460]

@@haaiitii through bloodline the biggest lie told to blacks are they are African American they don’t tell you who you really are

[@unionrdr]

the overgrown tunnel is John's legacy. He told the foreman, ' If the Lord say machines, ought to take the place of livin', Then what's a substitute for bread & beans? I ain't Seen it! Do engines get rewarded for their steam"?

[@monstersociety3360]

The character "Steel" from DC Comics is named John Henry Irons, and he says his mother named him that after the folk hero John Henry. Steel also carries a hammer.

[@mj1234321]

I've ridden through the adjacent newer tunnel aboard Amtrak's Cardinal, and saw the monument to John Henry outside of the entrance to the old tunnel.

[@sugarjanis3054]

Good to know. Thanks for all the details.

[@루나-y5y]

I LEARNED FROM YOUR VIDEO!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT

[@DrMurdercock]

After watching this, it made me realize just how complicated it is being a man in 2021 compared to back then. Times sure have changed

[@enhancedutility266]

You're not allowed to be a man in the late 20th to the 21st century

[@AlwaysAwesome001]

Not complicated to be a man. You just need to stop listening to the goober left BS.

[@ediekoller2636]

Very interesting and I love the Johnny Cash song too

[@SmithsonianChannel]

Thurmond, West Virginia - Population: 5 Explore this unusual town: bit.ly/1r1gCay

[@oddball7483]

I have a recording by LEADBELLY about JOHN. HENRY. That was probably recorded before the JOHN CASH version. Great to have some context via a LONNIE DONEGAN via a TUBE 😊post.

[@DrMurdercock]

It must have really been something here back in those days. When any man willing to work could claim land and become rich over night if he found oil or gold or coal

[@Tails92Halcmm]

John Henry could beat Thor

[@lightheart5]

And the first mortal to wield Mjolnir

[@lylemccullough1860]

wow that's it for Henry 3min

[@lesterclaypool1]

so they gave their lives to dig were a machine could do it with out death ,,,, uhm they still would have their jobs to lay track and work after they cut the tunnels ,,, this is sad to me

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

They signed a contract with the RE company that if they finished the track they’d get some land of their own. The machine that showed up breached the contract and broke their promise of the land. Imagine working for months on 3 miles of track with the reward of owning some land only to be taken away by a tin can. That’s just cold hearted, and unfortunately a lot of big businesses still do that today

[@reneegray19]

I have been here. My husband & 2 children plus 2 other friends tried to get to the other side. We couldn't go through the original tunnel cause of a cave in. We tried to go through the active tunnel, big mistake. The tunnel is over a mile long. I swear this is gonna sound far fetched, impossible, & out right crazy & stupid, but as God is my witness, it happened. We went about 1/3 of the way in & a train started in the other end. We turned around & ran like Hell. We got out just in time. We went & sat at the entrance to the the original tunnel& smoked a joint to calm our nerves. We regained our balls & I said 1 train just went through so what are the chances of another in will come in the time it will take to get to the other side, no one disagreed. So here we go again! This time we get about 1/2 way, & again I SWEAR THIS, another train comes at is from behind. Along the sides of the track was a ditch along the walls of the tunnel, about 4 feet from the track, I screamed "everyone go left" & we did. We all pressed up against the wall, ankle deep in run off water, the train was blowing it's horn flashing its 3 headlights & coming on, naturally at this point I'm screaming my brains out. The train blocked out all light, it was pitch dark, loud as Hell, 1 of the friends got his lighter out & started flicking it, no way it would stay lot cause of the wind force. But as the light flicked we could are the side ladders right in front of our faces, less than a foot. It took over a minute before the train passed is, as soon as it did & we were clear, we got back on the tracks & for out of there FAST. We again went to the mouth of the original tunnel & sat down. About 5 minutes after we came out 1 of those trucks that have train wheels came towards us, we saw it ahead of time & hid out of fear of getting in trouble for going into the tunnel. As soon as the truck went into the tunnel we ran to our vehicle & left. I know they went in there looking for dead bodies. But God & quick thinking saved us from harm & gave us an awesome adventure. This happened about 14 years ago & I'm sure thats 1 of the reasons there is a fence around things now. Back then it was all open. It was dangerous and stupid but man it was cool. We all live to tell our tale & we got to add our own personal legacy to the already existing legend. God rest your beautiful soul John Henry!!!!!#

[@ivicabaksa2375]

Renee Gray So, did you pass the main tunnel? :-00000000000000000000

[@blu7860]

So which train hole is the real one cause I see one that's abandon

[@Qup1ter]

That's the old bend tunnel

[@Qup1ter]

So yes it is abandon

[@루나-y5y]

GOOD EXPLAINING !LOVE THE HISTORY BUT DID GET COUNFUSED BUT GOOD HISTORY I WILL GIVE YOU 4 THUMBS UP

[@MzParker29]

Really? Not one image of John Henry? Just trains and tracks smh

[@루나-y5y]

WHAT?