Diane Sawyer - Appalachian Special

[zippy-kat]

My parents and I are from WV. A small "hick" place, if you will. My paternal grandparents owned a farm, sold black angus cattle. My grandmother was a post master and ran a small(!) gas station/post office/general store. My grandfather worked in the coal mines, died of black lung before I was born.

My mom's family had a small farm (they didn't sell anything, ate what they raised). Her Dad was a carpenter/black smith, her mom was a homemaker who tended foster children. The house was built mid 1800s and operated as a hotel from ?-? (I forget the dates). When the state road started building the hwy, they had to tear down the stable/carriage house that boarders "parked" in. LOTS of sentimental value on that land. My grandpa was born in the house and lived there until approximately 3yrs before his death; running water and plumbing were never installed.

Neither family was wealthy but you'd never find a more manicured lawn, inviting house, or welcoming arms. Poor doesn't necessarily mean dirty nor a lack in pride of ownership. It ticks me off the way it's portrayed.

Another thing that kinda ticks me off is when people try to equate poor with high crime. I can't recall the radio show (it's been years now) but someone brought up that the poorest community (at the time) was located in WV (I don't remember the county name). In this county, there was only ONE case of person-shooting/killing-person and that was actually ruled a hunting accident.

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We moved out of state when I was 2 (my dad chose work over welfare). This was in the early 80s. The neighboring county was holding Grand Dragon elections.

My parents have friends that still work in the mines. They knew people *in* the 2006 Sago mine collapse. (They also know people who worked at Sago during the collapse that now work at a different mine.)

So, yes, I know these places exist. I've seen it and lived it (although the only thing I remember is from vacations), but don't necessarily agree/understand it. Tradition is a comfort but why wouldn't you continually try to better yourself FOR yourself, and if not for yourself then for the sake of your family.

[Pam]

There was a small update on Appalachia last night. Did anyone see it? I watched the entire 20/20 (OK I admit I was dozing off a little... ) but they did do a bit of a follow-up right at the end of the program. The boy who plays football is back in college, Angel is getting dentures and lots of other good things and donations have been sent in by viewers. I imagine there will be more following up in the months ahead. I hope this is a turning point for the whole community.

[Medusa]

I hope this is a turning point for the whole community.

One can only hope. IMO, though, it's going to take more than charity to get this community on its feet. It's going to take education and access to assistance for that education and w/building programs, etc.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks Pam. I'm so glad to hear that. I was going to watch 20/20 but I got busy and didn't. It makes me so happy to know that the show let everybody know what was going on there.

I really think the huge response and the intervention from ABC might shake up awarenesss about the situation in Appalachia. Maybe things will continue to improve from that alone.

[Marigold2]

I saw the update as well. The young man who shoved coal should practice birth control. With one child and another on the way they are making themselves poor. If they had no children the wife could work and they wouldn't have these enomous child care costs they all of us have things llike diapers and formula etc etc.
Don't see why a young couple with no children but with a half way decent car can't pick up and leave, drive 100 or 500 miles away were there are jobs. Even McDonald's which pays $7.00 an hour to start is not bad if you have two people working that is $14.00 an hour or $560.00 a week combined before taxes, and then you could get a second job. All of my kids have second jobs. If before taxes you bring home say $700.00 a week you can afford a small one bedroom apartment in many cities or small towns. You can buy furniture at Goodwill to start or go to garage sales. Maybe start to take one class a semester at college. It is possible as long as you stop having kids. God helps those that help themselves. Helping oneself to 5 kids before you are 21 is not what he meant.
As far as the young football player is concerned I could not be happier for him. He is intelligent and hardworking and refuses to continue to be a victim. People gladly help those that help themselves, he is a hero.

[K9soul]

Don't see why a young couple with no children but with a half way decent car can't pick up and leave, drive 100 or 500 miles away were there are jobs.

It's always easy when on the outside looking in to say what people should do to improve their lives. Even with family and friends, it's easy to get caught up in looking at how they live and how they could improve on things. It just may not be so easy and cut and dry as it seems.

[Daisy and Delilah]

It's always easy when on the outside looking in to say what people should do to improve their lives. Even with family and friends, it's easy to get caught up in looking at how they live and how they could improve on things. It just may not be so easy and cut and dry as it seems.

Well said, as always, Jess.

As I've said before, I was once a person that believed that all things were easy until I met these people.
The bond between family members is like no other. These bonds are made not to be broken, in their eyes. The young people would rather live this way and suffer than to "betray" their family.
Many of these people are ill for one reason or another. Alot of them can't get to a doctor so their conditions go unattended to most of the time. Alot of times, it's too late. For a young person to leave a sick family member is basically unheard of in alot of situations.

The younger people live strictly by what's been taught to them by their elders. The tremendous respect for them prevents the children from abandoning their parents/grandparents. This is the way they live and it's the only life they know. They'll live like this and so will some of their offspring. Other children may hear of a different way of life and make a break for another way.

For example: Different cultures require certain things of their young people. Some things they are allowed to do and some things they aren't. Mostly unwritten laws but known by all of them. These Appalachian people are, by and large, another culture living within the United States.

It's not just the family bonds that control their destiny. They live with alot of fear of change and the unknown.

I would love to see them improve their way of life. I think most people would. However, it's just not that easy for some of them.

[Medusa]

It's always easy when on the outside looking in to say what people should do to improve their lives. Even with family and friends, it's easy to get caught up in looking at how they live and how they could improve on things. It just may not be so easy and cut and dry as it seems.

Absolutely! It's been my experience that the people who are quickest to judge are the ones who should take a look at their own lives. I also feel that depression and the sense of being overwhelmed probably plays a large role in how quickly they begin to make changes. The high school football player is a prime example. He has to be self motivating and it got him so far and then he had no support system which caused him to give up. Fortunately that has changed for him but not everyone is so lucky. So many of us are just plain spoiled and we forget or never even knew what it's like to truly struggle. Can you imagine having to walk 8 miles each way in the rain to get a GED, then when you finally get back home, you probably don't have enough food to eat? I've lived in conditions not much better than that, so I can say from experience that unless someone w/vision, insight, determination, patience and, yes, money, comes in and is willing to take the time to teach and work right alongside these people, chances are that things will never change for them. Sad but true.