I just saw your post about western North Carolina. I've been following the situation (mostly through social media) and I'm devastated. This part of the country has always been one of my very favorites to visit (I'm in Georgia) and I want to help if you know of any mutual aid or organizations? I donated to the Red Cross but thought I would ask if you had any suggestions. I'm so sorry this is happening to y'all
i included resources and donation links at the bottom of this post
the great smoky mountains (appalachians) are the most visited national park in the united states, having received over 13 million visitors in 2023. despite this, its residents are hated or at least largely ignored by the majority of the united states. they are portrayed as hillbillies and conservatives that deserve nobodyâs time. this is far from the truth. appalachians have been mistreated by the government and general populace for generations. they are given next to nothing and expected to be able to survive that way. itâs disgusting.
everyone who is not from appalachia , i recommend reading more about just how much it and its residents has been abused by the united states government. even reading through the wikipedia article on the social and economic stratification in appalachia can be helpful in understanding how fucked up this area has become due to the abuse of capitalism. i urge everyone to do some research on the coal mining industry when you have the time. not many people know just how bad it really was, and just how much itâs affected the mountains and the people in them.
here are some interesting articles i found on a quick search:
âCoal Mining in Appalachiaâ by The Moonlit Road
âA History of Appalachian Coal Minesâ by Kenneth Lasson
âCoalâs Legacy in Appalachia: Lands, Waters, and Peopleâ by Carl E. Zipper and Jeff Skousen
âNearly 60 years after the war on poverty, why is Appalachia still struggling?â by Dr. Abigail R. Hall Blanco
âHuman Rights in Appalachia: Socioeconomic and Health Disparities in Appalachiaâ by Evan Smith
âPassive, Poor, and White? What People Keep Getting Wrong About Appalachiaâ by Elizabeth Catte
âCulture, Poverty, and Education in Appalachian Kentuckyâ by Constance Elam










