The forgotten history of the US’ African American coal towns
By Stephen Starr24th October 2022
One of the US’ newest national parks has put West Virginia in the spotlight, but there’s a deeper history to discover in the remnants of its African American coal communities.
The story of West Virginia’s past often goes something like this: in the late 1800s, blue-collar workers came from Wales, Eastern Europe and other far-flung corners of the world to mine coal that ultimately built the cities that fired America to global superpower status. But that story leaves out an important element: the vibrant and sometimes tragic experiences of the region’s African American communities, which were integral to the industry and to a burgeoning Appalachian culture.
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Thanks for the share KE!
