coal mining

Findings of the 1971 land ownership study and subsequent legal action

Power and Politics in Health Care, Stories / By

John Gaventa elaborates on initial findings from the 1971 land ownership study and what transpired in response. With documented evidence of inequitable corporate control over land and natural resources (due in large part to unfair property taxation practices and the absence of proper mineral rights assessment), local citizens sought legal action. These included (but were …

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Context behind and origin of the 1971 land ownership study

Origin Stories, Power and Politics in Health Care, Stories / By

John Gaventa delineates the context and probing question behind his earliest research into land ownership in Appalachia, as proposed in collaboration with Bill Dow: why are some of the wealthiest, natural resource-rich counties in East Tennessee also the poorest (in terms of overall living conditions and with regard to funding for public services, such as …

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Population decline and water runoff in southwest Virginia: Bonnie Blue

Pre-Existing Conditions, Remaining Challenges, Stories / By

Howard Elliot III, grandson of Howard and Elsie Elliot from St. Charles, Va., elaborates on how steady population decline in southwest Virginia has created barriers to his work relocating rail lines. He names Bonnie Blue as a good example of why justification for the expense of construction projects like these is increasingly difficult to secure. …

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On the Bradley’s motivation to organize a community clinic in Petros, Tenn.

Health Fairs, Community Clinics & Councils, Origin Stories, Pre-Existing Conditions, Stories / By

Kate Bradley frames the initiative to organize a local health council and community clinic as a direct response to the Petros health fair’s preliminary identification of needs. She details early fundraising efforts, including Pat Kalmans’ key role in securing grant money, and outlines the clinic’s legal incorporation, naming John Kennedy and John Williams not only …

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Reflections on culture: camaraderie, family, and the destructive fallout of addiction in St. Charles

Cultural Encounters, Stories / By

Art Van Zee reflects on the rich coal mining culture of St. Charles, Va. and surrounding communities. He describes its positive impact on the connectedness of extended family units and overall sense of camaraderie among neighbors. In doing so, Art highlights the ongoing cultural shift away from this reality–citing the destruction of families as one …

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On the investigation of East Tennessee Development Districts

Power and Politics in Health Care, Stories / By

John Kennedy describes Bill Dow’s motivation to coordinate an investigative review of potential corruption in East Tennessee economic development districts, explaining that said corruption could reinforce power systems–namely, the allocation of state and federal funding to health and other community development organizations, which would be to the detriment of coal miner’s rights and representation. For …

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On John Kennedy’s involvement with the Coalition and its early law school projects

Power and Politics in Health Care, Stories / By

John Kennedy shares about his introduction to the SHC while finishing up his degree at Vanderbilt Law School (1971), recollects others who were involved in the Coalition’s early law school projects, and delineates his role researching the East Tennessee Development District. For more information on John Kennedy’s involvement with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) …

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Charles “Boomer” Winfrey on the Coal Creek War of 1892-1893

Stories, Theme: Organizing, Theme: Organizing - Stories, Themes / By

Charles “Boomer” Winfrey delineates the historical account of Coal Creek, Tennessee’s Coal Creek War (the battle atop Militia Hill at Fort Anderson) to Maureen O’Connell, Tom John, and Biff Hollingsworth. He explains the conflict’s origins within a larger context of complex coal mining history in the region and discusses its profound impact on the convict …

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