8.4 Appalachian activism

Appalachian activism has deep roots in the region's history of economic exploitation and environmental degradation. From labor struggles in coal mines to fights against mountaintop removal, activists have long battled for workers' rights and environmental protection.

Today, Appalachian activism continues to evolve, addressing ongoing labor issues, resisting pipeline projects, and promoting economic justice. Activists are building on past movements while tackling new challenges, with a growing focus on diversity and intersectionality in their work.

Roots of Appalachian activism

• Appalachian activism emerged from the region's long history of economic exploitation, environmental degradation, and cultural marginalization
• Rooted in the struggles of working-class Appalachians fighting for better living and working conditions
• Shaped by the unique cultural and geographic context of the Appalachian region

Struggle for workers' rights

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• Appalachian workers, particularly in extractive industries like coal mining, have fought for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize
• Faced dangerous working conditions, long hours, and low pay, leading to labor unrest and strikes
• Influenced by the broader American labor movement and the rise of unions in the early 20th century

Fight against environmental destruction

• Appalachian activists have long resisted the destructive impacts of extractive industries on the region's natural environment
• Opposed practices like clear-cutting forests, strip mining, and mountaintop removal mining that devastate ecosystems and communities
• Advocated for sustainable development and the preservation of Appalachia's unique biodiversity and natural beauty

Resistance to cultural stereotyping

• Appalachian activists have challenged negative stereotypes and misconceptions about the region and its people
• Fought against the portrayal of Appalachians as backward, ignorant, and culturally inferior
• Worked to promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of Appalachian culture, history, and diversity

Labor movements in Appalachia

• Labor activism has been a central part of Appalachian history, particularly in the region's extractive industries
• Appalachian workers have organized to demand better wages, working conditions, and the right to unionize
• Labor movements in Appalachia have faced significant challenges, including company resistance, government repression, and internal divisions

Coal miner strikes and unions

• Coal mining has been a major industry in Appalachia since the late 19th century, and coal miners have a long history of labor activism
• Major coal miner strikes occurred in the early 20th century, including the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek strike of 1912-1913 and the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921
• The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has been a powerful force in organizing coal miners and advocating for their rights

Textile worker organizing

• Textile manufacturing was another significant industry in Appalachia, particularly in the southern part of the region
• Textile workers, many of whom were women, faced low wages, long hours, and hazardous working conditions
• The Gastonia Strike of 1929 in North Carolina and the Elizabethton Rayon Strike of 1929 in Tennessee were notable examples of textile worker organizing in Appalachia

Advocacy for fair wages and safety

• Appalachian labor activists have fought for fair wages that provide a living wage and keep pace with the cost of living
• Pushed for safer working conditions, particularly in dangerous industries like coal mining and logging
• Advocated for workers' compensation, health benefits, and other protections for workers injured or sickened on the job

Environmental activism

• Environmental activism in Appalachia has focused on protecting the region's natural resources and biodiversity from the destructive impacts of extractive industries
• Appalachian environmental activists have used a variety of tactics, including direct action, legal challenges, and community organizing
• Environmental justice has been a key concern, as the negative impacts of environmental degradation often fall disproportionately on low-income and marginalized communities

Opposition to mountaintop removal mining

• Mountaintop removal mining is a controversial coal mining practice that involves blasting away the tops of mountains to access coal seams
• Activists have opposed mountaintop removal because of its devastating impacts on the environment, including deforestation, water pollution, and the destruction of wildlife habitat
• The movement against mountaintop removal has included direct action protests, lawsuits, and efforts to promote alternative economic development

Preservation of natural resources

• Appalachian environmental activists have worked to preserve the region's forests, rivers, and other natural resources
• Opposed logging and other extractive industries that threaten biodiversity and ecosystem health
• Advocated for the creation of protected areas, such as national parks and wilderness areas, to safeguard Appalachia's natural heritage

Sustainable development initiatives

• Appalachian activists have promoted sustainable development as an alternative to extractive industries that boom and bust
• Supported initiatives like eco-tourism, sustainable forestry, and local food systems that create jobs while protecting the environment
• Worked to build more diverse and resilient local economies that are less dependent on a single industry or resource

Cultural heritage preservation

• Appalachian activists have worked to preserve and promote the region's unique cultural heritage, including its music, art, crafts, and storytelling traditions
• Efforts to preserve Appalachian culture have been closely tied to movements for social and economic justice, as cultural traditions have often been threatened by poverty, outmigration, and stereotyping
• Cultural preservation activism has also been a way to challenge negative stereotypes about Appalachia and assert the region's cultural vitality and diversity

Efforts to combat negative stereotypes

• Appalachian activists have challenged stereotypes that portray the region's people as backward, lazy, or culturally inferior
• Worked to promote more accurate and nuanced representations of Appalachian culture in media, education, and public discourse
• Challenged the idea that Appalachia is a homogeneous region, emphasizing its diversity of people, cultures, and experiences

Promotion of traditional arts and crafts

• Appalachian activists have worked to preserve and promote traditional arts and crafts, such as quilting, woodworking, and pottery
• Supported the work of local artisans and crafts people, helping them to find markets for their work and pass on their skills to younger generations
• Used traditional arts and crafts as a way to celebrate Appalachian culture and assert its value and significance

Appalachian music and storytelling

• Music and storytelling have been important parts of Appalachian cultural heritage, and activists have worked to preserve and promote these traditions
• Supported the work of traditional musicians, storytellers, and other performers, helping to keep these art forms alive and vibrant
• Used music and storytelling as a way to share Appalachian history, culture, and struggles with wider audiences

Key figures in Appalachian activism

• Appalachian activism has been shaped by the work of many influential leaders and organizers who have fought for social, economic, and environmental justice in the region
• These leaders have come from diverse backgrounds and have used a variety of strategies and tactics to advance their causes
• Many have faced significant challenges and opposition, but have persevered in their efforts to create a more just and sustainable future for Appalachia

Mary Harris "Mother" Jones

• Mary Harris "Mother" Jones was a prominent labor activist and organizer who worked extensively in Appalachia in the early 20th century
• Played a key role in organizing coal miners and advocating for their rights, earning the nickname "the most dangerous woman in America"
• Known for her fiery speeches and fearless organizing tactics, Jones became a legendary figure in the American labor movement

Don West and the Highlander Folk School

• Don West was a poet, educator, and activist who founded the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee in 1932
• The Highlander Folk School played a key role in the labor and civil rights movements, providing training and support for activists and organizers
• West and the Highlander school emphasized the importance of grassroots organizing, cultural empowerment, and popular education in the struggle for social justice

Maria Gunnoe and mountaintop removal opposition

• Maria Gunnoe is a contemporary Appalachian activist who has been a leading voice in the movement against mountaintop removal mining
• A lifelong resident of West Virginia, Gunnoe has witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of mountaintop removal on her community and the environment
• Has used a variety of tactics to oppose mountaintop removal, including direct action protests, lawsuits, and lobbying efforts, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her activism

Appalachian activism today

• Appalachian activism continues to be a vital force in the region, addressing ongoing challenges related to labor, the environment, and economic justice
• Contemporary activists are building on the legacies of earlier movements while also adapting to new challenges and opportunities
• Appalachian activism today is increasingly diverse and intersectional, recognizing the connections between different forms of oppression and the need for solidarity and collaboration

Ongoing labor struggles

• Labor activism remains important in Appalachia, particularly in the face of declining employment in traditional industries like coal mining and manufacturing
• Activists are organizing to protect workers' rights, advocate for fair wages and benefits, and support workers displaced by economic changes
• New forms of labor activism are emerging, such as the Fight for $15 campaign to raise the minimum wage and efforts to organize workers in the gig economy

Resistance to pipeline projects

• In recent years, Appalachian activists have been at the forefront of resistance to new pipeline projects that threaten the region's environment and communities
• Activists have opposed projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would transport natural gas through Appalachian states
• Resistance to pipelines has involved direct action protests, legal challenges, and efforts to promote alternative energy solutions

Movements for economic justice and diversity

• Appalachian activists are increasingly focused on issues of economic justice and diversity, recognizing the need to build a more equitable and inclusive region
• Activists are working to address poverty, inequality, and lack of economic opportunity, particularly in rural and marginalized communities
• There is growing recognition of the importance of intersectionality and the need to address the specific challenges faced by women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups in Appalachia
• Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are challenging long-standing stereotypes and divisions, and building new coalitions and movements for change