We recently came across a new blog called The Thoughtful Coal Miner, written by Daniel Hawkins, that tells the ongoing story of his transition from third generation-miner working in the coal mines to a man struggling to balance a source of income with the impacts on the communities and mountains he loves:
Now, I can fight against the plight so many of my fellow Appalachians face, hoping to ensure a better future for my children, the newest generation to live within these wonderful mountains. I hope somehow, someway, I can persuade the minds of those enslaved to the coal industry's deceptions. I hope I may open their eyes to the devastation that surrounds them and the economic despairities controlling them. For now they see a wage only rivaled by college graudates, but one day they will hopefully realize the ultimate cost of such income and fight for something better.
We have a list of blogs we're reading on the side of our blogger site (which will be fully integrated in the near future!) — but would love to hear what you're reading. Where do you look for perspective on Appalachia?
