The People Who Are Bringing Back Appalachia, Part 3

Although the decline of coal in Appalachia has had a severe impact on communities there, there are some ways that the region can transition and thrive without the coal industry. We traveled to eastern Kentucky to find people who are trying to make that happen.
Part 1: • How Appalachia Deterio...
Part 2: • How Coal's Decline Des...
Additional archival photos provided by the SKCTC Appalachian Archives, from their U.S. Coal & Coke, International Harvester, Ewell Balltrip and Kentucky Coal Museum Photo Collections.
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[@Fuxser]

Im Norwegian and visiting this region is one of mye biggest dreams! Such a interesting place with amazing people and a almost unbeliveable history!

[@rebeccamd7903]

My mother’s father is from Sweden. Everyone else in my family have been in Eastern Kentucky for hundreds of years. He loved living in the Appalachia’s. On a side note: The Appalachian mountains were once a part of the same land mass as where you’re from.

[@anastasiabirosh9312]

Just found this short series. My grandfather died of black lung - and I remember how hard my grandmother fought to get survivor benefits. The decline of Appalachia had directly to do with the coal industry robber barons, and we the people who allowed this to happen. Companies and big business are liars.

[@cate7199]

My Dad moved out of Campton, Ky long before I was born, and I confess that I was grateful for that all of my life. A lot of that reason is what was said here...and I was recently telling someone myself.. this is the one demographic that it's not only okay to still make fun of, but it's expected. BUT.. having dug into my ancestry these past 4-5 years... I do feel a call. Maybe not to live, but to visit for the first time since I was a child. Blah, blah blah.. one thing that I can say is that I am now SO PROUD of my Eastern Kentucky roots. My ancestors have impressed me beyond anything I ever thought that I'd feel... and by extension... all of the Appalachians. We aren't all making fun of you lol.

[@juliananzongo3069]

More people need to see this video. Videos like this are what we need, informative, emotional, full of facts but easy to understand and sympathize.

[@joseavargas3630]

Great content and beautifully presented. It shows the hope, struggle and strive of this well defined community of great people in eastern Kentucky. Great job on this documentary.

[@narayantx]

Thank you. This is the 1st I've heard of the Reclamation Act.

[@SonOfNothingness]

as a southern appalachian i am very thankful for you doing this series bc it was very emotional for me.

[@scottp4063]

Boo hoo cry me a river .

[@PatVersusTheWorld]

Nice series. Inspiring. Thanks AJ+!

[@kieragirl]

This was a great series. I wish them all the best.

[@tellingfoxtales]

Most places have struggles and limitations, but have unique culture and contributions to offer, from the deep south and appalachia to central Asia and the Congo.

[@UniteFoundation1]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative.

[@Keith_Mikell]

Great series! You should go back for part 4 and a 2 year checkup!

[@vivianloney8826]

I'm studying to get my bachelors in geology and a GIS certificate. My goal is to work as a hydrologist on reclaimed coal mines. The truth is there's already a lot of this work available, it just takes more education that most of the workforce here can get.

[@distanceovertime]

A great series!

[@Nugrat1]

Great Job

[@UniteFoundation1]

HEMP! HEMP! HEMP! RENEWABLE ENERGY, SOLAR, HEMP! HEMP! HEMP!!!

[@DestinyDevistation]

We're working on it

[@UniteFoundation1]

I wish the best for you all. When you shine we all shine.

[@Sargebsa]

Damn right 130 proof

[@terrismith9662]

Glory Hallelujah IF ONLY !!!!! Hemp could save us all....but the Christian Taliban will never let it happen.

[@camelotdaily7051]

Half thumbs up Rashid. "Solar Panel Electricity Causes Cancer?" camelotdaily.com/solar-panel-electricity-causes-cancer/

[@JoahW]

Great series! Loved it.

[@accidentalanarchist3304]

I'm so loving this series..Thank you. I was gonna be heading off to Iceland for a year with my 17 year old son who's just finished school. but if I can work out a way to manage getting into the US, I'd be happy to head on over to the Appalachia's. Sounds like home to me anyway, and I just adore their spirit. Xxx

[@terrismith9662]

Where are you from??

[@joan3891]

I love the strength of community, small business, and the human spirit. ❤️

[@toddcollett9102]

Ive left a kazillion times and come back home to harlan

[@kellyfization]

So many ways to diversify the economy :)

[@bratcli3]

This is awesome. Come to West Virginia!

[@x2turtlemasterx2]

I live in Whitesburg, and I can tell you hands down that this film does not represent the area accurately at all. A business surviving for a year (Heritage Kitchen) is not a sign of success. I wonder why they didn't discuss the several dozen businesses that have came and went in the last handful of years? If I were to walk down Main Street of Whitesburg, I could name at least 8 businesses that have closed their doors in the last 5 years, and that isn't even counting the outlying areas. Why? Because this region has zero infrastructure without the coal business. On main street, there are only a handful of actual businesses that have made it for more than a couple of years, and those few businesses only employ about 5 people each. And these people are going to sit and talk about how this is a great area for entrepreneurs? Give me a break. If that was the case, our largest and most successful business wouldn't be the local Wal-Mart that isn't even open 24/7. The biggest portion of the viable workforce in this area can't even pass a drug test. Really, this production is just as bad as any before it. When we were thriving because of coal, we were portrayed as being poor, ignorant, and far from industrialized. Now that coal is gone and we are doing worse than we ever have, we are being portrayed as a blossoming little town full of entrepreneurial potential. If you cannot represent this area accurately, then seriously, just do us all a favor and quit making films about it.

[@annyer262]

My thought about the Heritage Kitchen, was has it lasted 2 years yet? The new restaurant in town always has people wanting to try it out. However the novelty wears off after about 3 months, they have to be very good to survive long term. And remember you cannot pay for food at a restaurant with a SNAP card.

[@danthemaintenanceman]

x2turtlemasterx2 well said!!!

[@gakraus3195]

turtlemaster I feel your pain. I see the same scenario up in the Catskills in NY. These new entrepreneurs are probably not the answer, but neither is bringing back coal, especially if no one wants it. The guy who put in our sewer line recently told me that he couldn't get workers because there was more money for them selling drugs. Every time they come up with a plan for some new vacation spot, it gets shot down because they know it won't be profitable. I don't know if there are any answers for these rural areas. Something new has to be figured out and I don't trust politicians to do it.

[@Btvstudio]

@@gakraus3195 I live in Utica, NY so I feel your pain.

[@floantonia8670]

@@annyer262 it's still open

[@wayland9042]

Shout out from NEPA

[@brandonginkel7323]

Long live the workers of appalachia!

[@TheAGAPETUS]

I saw a store with the Western Auto sign on it. Is there actually still one there?

[@binthrdonthat]

OMG, it looks like they're trying to make it California. Your ancestors survived without the outside world. Barter, help each other when you need to build. Money really plays a small roll unless you plan on building up fast food places. Grow your own food. Best of luck to the ancestors of the original Scot Irish settlers, the natives and many that followed. You're tough, with government assistance you will become weak

[@xxjr8axx]

binthrdonthat the only thing keeping this place alive is government assistance, whether it be subsidies to farm, subsidies to connect them to the electical grid or simply welfare and food staps to keep them from starving. You can grow your own food but eventually your gonna have to pay property tax, utility bills, or buy gasoline. The companies that offer that and the IRS dont accept carrots and spinach as payment. Pretty ironic that the people complaining the most about government interventiong benefit from it the most, mainly republicam/conservative states

[@xxjr8axx]

binthrdonthat intervention*

[@guesswho111]

I love WV

[@hanpua1056]

Isn’t this the hills where Loretta Lynn was born?

[@mcdradus]

A lot of the pain and suffering in eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia is self-inflicted by the politicians, unions, and the people themselves.

[@sudevsen]

"1st it has to pass Congress" Oh well,that's never gonna happen.

[@clarkbailey1973]

I wonder why you only interviewed people in the KFTC?

[@DestinyDevistation]

I'm not part of KFTC

[@djberg3483]

This is a great example of what can be done. Work together locally, import as little as possible. Reclaim the waste of corporate america, and make it happen.

[@nevets4190]

trumps not going to sign off on that lol

[@cityofangeles4113]

I didn't even know people were talking about these people...hmmmmm🤔

[@RappyMcRapperson]

The qatari royal family loves a good laugh

[@chrisulmer694]

The solution for Appalachia is Universal Basic Income.

[@dwaynemathias3834]

Yea right. How'd that work out for Finland and their 2 year trial program? Move to a socialist state if you want the govt to control jobs and pay. Maybe Bernie can share some of his millions? Ummm, not happening.

[@SeiShinjitsuShi]

Irony is wearing a shirt that says "Healthcare is a human right." and voting for Trump...

[@annyer262]

Well Obamacare did a great job of eliminating a hell of a lot of health care plans that people were on and were happy with. So I do not think there is anything ironic at all.

[@fordrac1ng81]

Not like voting for bernie would have helped with the corrupt DNC making hillary win the primary. Trump was the only choice if you live here.

[@vivianloney8826]

She never said she voted for Trump, quit making assumptions

[@homingpigeonraces]

1:05 "Where jus regular paper two" LOL

[@terrismith9662]

Paper?? He said PEOPLE.

[@victoriabeckfinat225]

In regard to the people that did vote for Trump on his promise that he bring back coal jobs, they must've been crushed under feelings of desperation that turned into delusions. I say this because coal is a non renewable source. Even if this man actually had any good intentions, he couldn't make a new coal supply appear for workers to mine and it doesn't stand ground against cleaner and more viable forms of energy.

[@Billhatestheinternet]

Am I the only one who finds Destiny a beautiful woman?

[@heidimurphy4463]

No technology is law

[@newyorkforever3118]

Coal is not coming back, weed is the way to go

[@d.ahuman6323]

"Coal is coming back" trump. 5 years later and nothing. Plant Marijuana diversification.

[@tmack2090]

I didn't know healthcare is a human right .. that's a joke . go out and work for it like most people do .

[@dwaynemathias3834]

Guess you didn't read the Liberal Handbook on the steps of how to take over a society.

[@2010bigfathen]

The sooner they get rid of Mitch McConnell the better off they’ll be also

[@2010bigfathen]

I moved away from north eastern Tennessee coal area 40 years ago and I’m sure glad of it. You can’t raise a dime with a hydraulic jack in that area

[@REVDUFF74]

This is a propaganda series! Solar and wind mills ? Where is the battery bank located batteries are more dangerous than coal. The heat from solar panels kills nearby crops so do wind mills! Not to mention wildlife fleeing the area when built.

[@annyer262]

How many trees do you need to chop down to generate the same amount of energy as one coal powered plant? A hell of a lot more than a coal mine, and a power plant.

[@northernbohemianrealist1412]

I like this series and the reporting very much. The people, well, that's another matter. I say let them stew in their own "We hate da guvmint!" juices. They can't talk, they can't think, and they want to be left alone. Good.

[@shaneyw13]

Northern Bohemian Realist This video series was made for ignorant and judgemental people like you. Look into the deeper meaning of this instead of just perpetuating the stereotypes.

[@terrismith9662]

Northern Bohemian Realist You are sad and ignorant. You don't know anything about my people . Keep believing the stupid stereotypes. My people are incredibly hard working and we have an unbreakable bond and an innate connection to these ancient mountains that you do not have the capacity to understand.I love my culture. Our dialect is absolutely beautiful and is closer to Elizabethan English than any other in the whole of America. We have the best food, the best music and the best people. Have you ever been to Appalachia?Have you ever actually seen the breath- taking beauty of the hills and hollers?? Have you ever met an Appalachian?? I doubt it. We are proud and particular and I cherish this place. So take your closed hateful mind and disappear.

[@fordrac1ng81]

You know that's pretty much how the USA was started, right? Founding fathers didn't exactly agree with the King's laws...