Inside Appalachia - First Impressions 🇺🇸
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2023
- Deep in the mountains of West Virginia, is a world most of us know nothing about. It's a place that's had a huge part in building the country off of the backs of coal miners. Economic decline has hit the region hard, but what remains is a sliver of hope, pride, and some of the most authentic and friendly people in the country.
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This is the start of my Appalachia series diving into the culture of this beautiful part of America. More Appalachia videos coming over the next few weeks. Enjoy!
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❤God bless you and all US
You're on a roll! Keep it up. I love the content.
Holy shit! I'm from there!! How in the hell did you find out about The 'Field?? And welcome to town Pete! Hope you enjoyed your time!
@@NoNORADon911 take your meds, boy
Hey Peter I was born in Bluefield and live in the Appalachian part of Virginia. It’s awesome your showing how we live and shining light on us.
I’m an Arab from Abu Dhabi, and I remember visiting my younger brother for his graduation from Arizona State University, back in 2013, and after his graduation we took a road trip throughout America for two months. I was 25 and he was 23. We visited Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. I couldn’t agree more, people were sure mighty friendly. The irony was that the further north we went, the less friendly people became especially in melting pots like New York, or even wealthy states like Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. I even remember being kicked out of a restaurant in Vermont because I’m assuming they thought we're poor college kids lol. Whereas in the south, in a beautiful small town called Ocean Springs, Mississippi. After a long conversation with two tables and the owners about politics, history, and religion the owners decided that our money was no good, and invited us to spend the night at their home. Just pure friendly southern hospitality. I’ll never forget those people. That’s why I have a soft spot for anyone from the South I run into here in Abu Dhabi or Dubai or anywhere in the world. Plus, that random act of kindness, that happened to Peter, after talking to a local guy, who excused himself before him, only to end up paying for his food. That happened a lot to us. I guess, we were just kids to everyone we interacted with. Kids from a very faraway land. Big Oil country boys, that’s what we were mostly called 😅 for being from Arabia. I think we got at least ten free meals in Kentucky and West Virginia alone. Ironically, we were warned by people in California, that we should avoid those states, as people might be rude to us, or outright violent. Funny enough, the only racism or mild discrimination that we got, was from Californians, or those rich folks up in Vermont, and don’t get me started on the Big Apple. That road trip, exactly a decade ago, was such an eye-opening experience for us, that we ended up donating as much money as we could, during the hight of the pandemic, in 2020-2021, for the people of North and East Kentucky, mostly to churches that run food banks for their local communities and congregations, by donating money, for them to be able to buy food, for people across various small towns. We did that for 6 months straight, and I don’t have to disclose the monthly sum, as that’s between us and God. But, it was all thanks to the wonderful people we ran into back in the day. Honest to God, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have such a soft spot, after watching a piece on YT about those mining towns, with people struggling to buy everyday groceries. We just had to do something, and I’m glad we did. I just wished we could’ve done more.
Thank you Peter for this. Those people are hands down, the best representation of America.
Great comment, I'm not from any of those great states that you visited. It is sad how other states and the news media and the education system in America will look down upon some of America's finest people who built America into the country it is today. I'm also glad that many people from around the world can go on an adventure with Peter to learn more about how the real world operates !
God bless you for your paying it forward
❤
What a wonderful story thanks for sharing.
From a West Virginian Thank you! Come back anytime! Everyones grandma has cornbread, fried apples, and gravy at a moments notice for a visitor or weary traveler!
One thing I appreciate is Peter acts the same and treats people the same no matter where he goes. Doesn't speak different when he's in the hood. Doesn't act like a hick when he's in the sticks. Peter is just himself everywhere he goes.
Straight white American man. If you only watched the mainstream media you would think Peter was satan reincarnate.
Acts the same , treats the same, and always in the same shirt. Lol
😂
@@ALCRAN2010brought to you by cuts clothing lol Can't knock em gotta make that sponsorship money.
That's why people open up with him. His everyman personality goes a long wat toward convincing people he is real and really is interested in what they say. This is the first time i have watched him, and i already subscribed. I am also from the coal camps where i grew up in the fifties. Daddy was a coal miner until we moved North in 64. The unions were always striking and he had to feed eight of us. I will say this. There is no better place to grow up than these mountains. I know it's different now, but i loved growing up there. Been gone almost sixty years and still miss the people and the hills.
Interesting you said “hick” for whites but didn’t use “hood, street or ghetto” for a black area. Nice double standard
I am 82 was born in Bluefield, lived in Welch, Iaeger, Pineville, Mullens. My parents were school teachers and we moved to Maryland when I was 14. But to this day I still miss Wva and thank you for these videos. They take me back to the place I belong. I plan to have my ashes spread in the river in Pineville.
One day ull be in the air from where u belong, in peace ,,, peace be upon you brother ❤
aw i love pineville. i always thought that's where rich people lived because of the patty lovelace song. i also thought above ground pools were fancier than below ground pools. kids are silly.
He is one of the most gracious host I have ever witnessed. No matter where he is, he is never judgmental, just reporting. May God bless this man and his family.
Amen
I'm pretty sure he's already said that he doesn't believe in God and when He says; Oh my God", supports that. So having said that... Have you ever read in the Holy Bible about how God does NOT bless non-believers?
I'm sure this will be a buried comment. But I love the respect you show each community you visit. Mainstream media doesn't touch what you're showing.
Thanks J!
Mainstream media spread fake news, nothing is true there. The truth is people and their stories, it's like that all over the world.
I hear you😘
Mainstream media doesn't touch anything truly relevant.
True.
As an Appalachian Native, I deeply appreciate you doing this video.
how’d you get internet 😂
@@Boston_CremePie i have 5 gigabit down fiber optic in Wv, old money i guess 🤗
A lot's of love from India.🇮🇳
Love the line “we aren’t so judgemental out here” a lesson to learn for many many in nowadays society
Glad to see it is improving. Cycle of life. Relatives on my mother's side come from the area. I think it will do well in Global warming and folks looking for some land to retire you can see it is happening already; in VA it has been happening for a while and it looks like it is hitting a lot of areas in WV, not just the Canaan Valley.
I am from Bluefield and I wanted to say "thank you" for this series. Your series has done a good job portraying West Virginians in a positive light. Losing the Coal Industry devasted us!
As a welder in WV I can safely say its sad and beautiful at the same time thanks for actually coming and talking to people man
I agree, kind of bittersweet. Beautiful ppl and area.
i find the area to look gorgeous .. the people make it even better .. wish i could visit 1 day
I’m a 75 old West Virginian.
My Dad was born to Italian immigrants in 1907 and raised in a dirt floor coal camp. He went to work in the mines in 1919 at the age of 12.
He died in 1955 at the age of 47.
We struggled the whole time but I became a successful citizen married 50 years and have a wonderful large family.
🌹🌹🌹
Your poor father. I hope he lived to see your better life.
@@seanabadalich9112he was 7 when his father died
Where in Italy was your family from?
That's absolutely heartbreaking.
Rural areas and small towns are so rich with history and character. Hopefully they can save this area.
I don't think there's much way to save it. But as it dies, the old structures will be torn down, and nature will take its course. Homes are still relatively expensive though. I imagine quite a few younger people moved back during Covid and are working from home?
@@catamountmpls but you need coal for electric cars and solar energy if that’s where we’re heading in the future.
@@rsingh2595thats not gonna last long
We have a very old school in my area. I think 6 class rooms and a gym. I dream of it being a meat shop, bakery, creamery and store with a farm to table cafe. The money to restore it is probably more than I can dream of but the employment opportunities for the area I think would be helpful. As far as electric vehicles go, until they greatly improve them, we don't want them in the Oregon Outback. As it is now, it is 30 miles to the nearest gas station. In any direction. We have a large population (of an area of 1000) that live in campers, they can't afford a EV.
@@rsingh2595 Coal is dying. Natural gas is replacing it as a backup. We export a lot of the coal.
I am from Colombia, South America, born and raised here, and as an English teacher I found this video to be very informative and honest about the Appalachia. I will be showing it to my students so they can have an original first hand source of information about this area of the USA. Kudos from Colombia Peter.
tell them all to stay in their own lovely country. leave america alone.
Show them a FAMILY FRIENDLY video about Mardi Gras in Louisiana since it’s that time of the year
My grandfather was a coal miner over here in England until they closed them down in the 80s, the factories soon followed. Lots of people lost their livelihoods. My grandfather was wheelchair bound in his later life due to his work. Hard working, good people. Its nice to see how similar people can be whilst being so far apart. Great content as always Peter
The dude who gave you the tour, what a fantastic guy. Such a good energy, sense of humor, and he's just happy to be of service to others. He reminds me of a really good boss I used to have. I truly hope this man is doing well, he deserves it
Thank you
@@jimmyperdue3112 This journey was special in large part due to you. Where I'm from we'd say your'e a good egg, Jimmy. Thank you.
@@jimmyperdue3112 You're welcome! You really helped me today, reminded me to keep a better attitude and try to be more patient with others. Keep on keepin' on!
@@jimmyperdue3112 no way. My Uncle is from W. Virginia. He's got your last name. His name is Steve. Cool of you to give the tour. Interesting history out there. I was thinking that, what the mines did for W. Virginia, the mills did for New England. Im from RI. My town was a mill town for a very long time. There are old mill houses here. I read in school about the old indentured servants who lived in mill housing but couldnt leave because they owed money they may never earn! Our river in my town was so poluted by the mills and also became a dumping ground for bikes, vehicles, furniture, and more. Its been cleaned a lot but it may never be great. Our town was busy and thriving at the turn of the century. Its nowhere near as busy now, all the mills mysteriously burned down 🤨. It used to be an old french, mill town. Now its more diverse. You did a great job showing different towns and how each is so different. Did you say a highway is being built nearby? I hope that doesnt create a boom of unsightly businesses. I drove through a town i lived in back in the 90s and the businesses destroyed the landscape and the quiet.
@@jimmyperdue3112 Good job Jimmy. You made us look good. 😊
I've travel all over this country on a motorcycle. West Virginia is by far my favorite. The rural quiet, endless twist and turns and unbelievably hospitable people.
No place like it
I fell in love with it too
I intend on experiencing it first hand 2up style. Our family roots are from there on my momma's side and I couldn't be more proud.
So glad to hear! Welcome back any time!
Goodness Peter, you have me transfixed on these Appalachian videos! The people, the history, the scenery, the hospitality and brutal juxtaposition between the blessing of coal and the greed of corporations, and neglect and outright hostilities from US Gvmt. You have me intrigued and I appreciate the gracious candour of the folks you interviewed - I wouldn't want to be prejudged either. They don't deserve that disrespect. As the man said, they powered America's progress. They deserve recognition and respect for that. I'm Canadian and I'm definitely putting West Virginia on my bucket list. ✌
There's a movie with James Earl Jones called Matewan (1987) about the conflict between the coal miners and the government.
I could not have said it better!
@@D33Lux Thank you, I'll look it up.
Not once have the words, "let's go vacation in coal-country" ever come out of my mouth...until this video. Herndon, WV is now on my 2024 vacation list. Having grown up in the Denver suburbs, you're shining a light on amazing people who are just destroying the stereotypes I've always thought them to be. Great content.
Thank you for the compliment but most people from West Virginia don't appreciate the "vacationers". We love our mountain ways and prefer to remain one of America's best kept secrets.
Lived in Denver for a few years beginning in 2014. That city is a cautionary tale, to say the least. And the rest of the state is pretty clearly being dragged along in that direction, so I’m not understanding where the arrogance/superiority over this particular region is coming from.
I'm an Aussie, currently living in the UK but boy do I have the urge to pack up, head to WV and leave the world I know behind. I could be very happy there in those hills with those wonderful people.
But then…….maybe not, cob.
to bad it would cost a arm and a leg to be able to move there , but only if you are from a western nation
Much better opportunity just south a few miles in Virginia, where I live, same geology, in the Appalachians, but it's actually established more, like new river valley, there's state college here, and universities, then there's old mixed with new like Radford to Blacksburg where vatech is, everything is close together driving wise, lots of jobs here. You also have an hour drive in all directions and you are where they are looks like, old mining towns
DO IT !!!! leave Europe, this hellhole of wokeness and idiots. I'll do it next year
@@MiladJP you think America is not lost? 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
This is supposed to be the poorest region in the USA but I am looking in awe to the great people, nice houses, beautiful gardens and amazing nature. It's almost impossible to comprehend for someone from an extremely crowded European country how much space, nature and community spirit you have! God bless you all
Poorest region sure but that also means the cost of living is way lower than aurrounding states. A 1.5m$ house in cali would cost 200k there
We have it same in Slovakia. Young people can't leave their parents. 1-room flat costs at least 115 000€ in my town. That is over 9 years of work with average salary without spending anything to afford it.
Oh it is poor but people even the poorest people will find ways to survive but Appalachia also has a serious opioid problem that people aren't aware of but we all know about inner cities and crack though.
@@mionellessi3086, my father is from there. Why not leave for say.....Lithuania? What types of jobs are there.
Check out "Celebrating Appalachia". She's in North Carolina and does videos about her community, food, language, history, etc. Love her videos. ❤
Loving this series so much . As an Australian I have zero knowledge of these regions and feel privileged to get a glimpse into this part of the world via such a kind and respectful presenter. Thank you for bringing this series to us Peter .
as someone from kentucky i'd say these are kind of puff pieces. place is a dumpster fire. i got the fuck out. there's a reason young people with either the means or ability usually get the fuck out. at least the folks who don't end up as junkies or in prison.
Shit, as an American from up North this is just as foreign to me.
Same for me in the u.k , fascinating content, and for some strange reason if I was to go to the states I would love to go there .
its so weird to me, seeing appalachia being showcased like this. guess its cause i've lived my whole life in this area. bluefield being maybe an hour down the road. appreciate the video and thanks for the representation
I am a proud Appalachian born and raised in a holler my family had been in for over 200 years. Scotts Irish and mixed Cherokee where a group of us ran to hide from the removal west. Mamaw and papaw didn't have running water, but were the cleanest people you could ever meet. Neither one had beyond a second grade education, both grandmother's went back to school at the age of 68 and 69 and refused to get a GED, they wanted their diploma and they both graduated with just that. Some call us dumb because the lack of book learning, but common sense wise you never met anyone smarter. The hillbillies I grew up around were honest, loyal, loving, and hard working. Making due with what they had. If a man owed you money, they would be there the day before he said he would pay back and thank you for the help. I had to leave for work, but that holler is a part of me everywhere I go and I hope when people meet me, they see what a real hillbilly is, because we have been misrepresented and misunderstood throughout so much of America, and it hurts my heart to think that anyone could talk badly about the people I belong to.
I've met some Appalachian people in the Mountains had never felt the level of Loving Kindness Presence until then . Emotional Awareness is True Wealth .
I've been watching the TV show 'Justified' which takes place in Harlan county and I've been wondering what exactly ment by a "Holler". The context of the show seemed to indicate some sort of trailer park village/town of some sort and I'm glad I now know what a Holler is.
For what it's worth I'm watching this from London UK and I think you come from beautiful people. The fact you have been able to hang onto to your kindness even when tested is a beautiful thing.
@@BestOpinionHaver in outher words a shit hole !
Sorry about the inbreeding.
I’m Puerto Rican-American. My wife is from the island as well. We heard WV was going to be terrible for us if we purchased a retirement home there. The typical "it's KKK, it's this, it's full of racial insensitivity, etc, etc". We did our due diligence and traveled the area. On June 2021 we purchased a lovely 1920 historical home in Kingwood WV. Every time we visit to spend a few weeks at the house we marvel at how we’re treated. We've lived in California for decades and there is no "let's get to know the neighbors" culture here. California for as lovely as it is, has a cold spirit of personal isolation and competitive materialism. In our town in WV, we know most of the block already. A Trump-loving couple on the left of us and some Libbie-hippie types across the streets and they come over and knock back some beers with us at sunset not caring a damn about politics. I know everybody on my street. These are the kindest people we’ve ever met. This video was re-affirming. Thank you.
Do Puerto Ricans not consider themselves Americans by default? If not, would that change if they ever vote in statehood? I just always considered Puerto Rico a part of the U.S., and by extension, Puerto Ricans as Americans.
BTW, spent a few months in Puerto Rico thirty years ago when the navy base was still open. Loved it, and am considering retiring there. Is there a reason you and your wife decided not to go back for retirement?
@@operator0 Your question has a lot to unpack so let me try a few angles: PR's by nature NEVER say (as I did) Puerto RIcan -Americans. They do appreciate the citizenship afforded to them (just before WW1, of course, but that is another rant), but they are always "Boricua", they never identify themselves as "American". As to Statehood? It's never going to happen. We are too jingoistic number one, and (no 2) we know what happened to Hawaii once they were let in the union. Puerto Rico IS part of the US, as a territory but nothing of its current status is close to being part of the US in the literal sense. The Jones Act makes it impossible to function as a quasi-independent economy and we are enslaved by the stevedore unions in Florida and Texas that earn 10's of millions a year from unloading/loading goods to Puerto Rico. ?You see, the Jones Act demands all goods to PR be in US-flagged / crewed vessels. Just like Hawaii. Meaning everything costs twice as much. PR is on an economic death spiral of national indentured servitude but we are gluttons for punishment so, there's that. As to the Navy Base (Roosevelt Roads?) Yep, I played high school football against the base HS in the late '70s. It's a lovely place, truth be told. To your last query, we decided we can't retire there. The medical, police, power grid, and other infrastructures have been permanently broken since Hurricane Maria stopped in 2018. There is a heavy "brain drain" of talent as well. All the best teachers, police, and tech minds are all getting recruited state-side. It is unfortunate. It could have been the Singapur of the Caribbean, but instead, it is the squeezable banana for all the bondholders on wall street, and by effect, feeding political capital to both major party PACs in the US. Such is my home. It's pretty terminal at this point. Maybe @PeterSantanello has the time to do a deep dive into the status of Puerto Rico. There are many layers of truths that most Americans either don't know about or just are calloused enough not to care about.
They usually give a pass to the lighter colors. There is a reason blacks don't live out in the counties in WV and VA. There is KKK around and very racist people. You don't want to break down at night on a backroad either. When I was in HS on the activity bus the black people would duck down riding through there, but keep thinking it's super safe and not racist. They've burned crosses in blacks yards moving in the county, beat the shit out of my 7th grade gym teacher who was black. He lasted a year there. KKK flyers will show up randomly. You claim you live on a street, so you don't live out in a holler somewhere where everyone has a confederate flag waving and in the small stores they have a whole wall of confederate shit. Near a town or city is a little different. People will be more accepting, but like I said, don't break down on a backroad 20 mins from your city or town in a holler. Just a dangerous situation for minorities unless you know the holler is cool, which some might be. Some are more redneck than others. You never know if a few racists are driving around getting drunk or night hunting though, so just because it seems safe one day doesn't mean it is another.
I grew up about 30 minutes from Kingwood. I love that area and miss the delicious buckwheat pancakes. Hoping one day to move back in that area. Love Love West Virginia ❤❤❤
@@spicycopper2436 we do as well. It’s actually similar to the mountains where I spent my childhood in Puerto Rico. We love cheat river and the buckwheat pancakes …. Oh man ….. our neighbor makes the best 🙏. Thanks for chimin’ in. We’ll be there in September for a couple of weeks.
As a Canadian watching the Appalachian series (and not knowing much about the area) I've kind of fallen in love with it. The people seem to be really nice and it feels like the definition of a "free Country." Seems like you can do quite well if you have a good work ethic and avoid temptations. Great series.
stay in canada you moose lover.
Definitely.
Also Canadian, jealous of the good neighbours that seem to be everywhere in Appalachia!
It's beautiful. It definitely has its quirks, but the people are genuine once they get to know you. Went to spurling mountain, KY when I was 16. I donated my drum set to a church that was in a holler and helped them put in toilets and running water. I remember stopping for the rest room going up the side of the mountain and being ran out cause of a hornets nest 🤣
The episodes about Appalachia are like a school book that we didn´t know we needed. Watching the clip and then reading the comments is so heartwarming, because people are realising that they had prejudice about places that they´ve never even been to. But through you, Peter, we get to travel there and expand our mind and open our hearts.
Unbeknownst to these wonderful people living without proper Internet and amenities, they´re not missing out on ANYTHING. More and more people are realising that real life is growing your own food, staying off social media (unless for educational purposes, such as this clip), getting out in nature, face to face meetings, and living a simple life without too many materialistic needs. Concepts such as "Capsule wardrobe", "No phone dinners", "Swedish Death Cleaning", "Team no filter" and more are becoming popular, because some of the aftermath of the pandemic is actually good. People getting the time to think, to ponder their lives and realise that they no longer need as much as they thought. And then many realising that they don´t want to support fast fashion and slavery in 3rd world countries.
The more I see the youth stuck in the influencer world, gaming sphere and celebrity following, the more I realise that things are going downhill...fast. Of course, we also need to remember that this is the generation that probaly won´t be able to buy their own place, not get a permanent contract etc. So no wonder that they´re numbed out a little.
Where I live, everyday, we get articles about people opting out of marriage and having children (which is understandable in certain ways), not being able to pick up a phone and call people, not being able to make friends outside of social media (like, face to face), suffering from anxiety and not even being able to sit alone at a café. We´re slowly turning into some sort of robots or socially disabled creatures. In Germany, there is now a café, where people go if they want to sit "the old-fashioned way", i.e just talking and no WIFI. Imagine that!
The world today isn´t a very nice place, and that is palpable to most people. So to live like this, in Appalachia, on just 200-300 dollars a month, sounds like freedom to a lot of people watching this.
I am a state delegate in the WV Legislature. Thank you for visiting our great state! There is so. much to explore here as you just touched one small segment but a very important one to us. West Virginia is the only state in the US to lie totally within the Appalachian Mountains. The rugged topography here meant most settlers went around what is now West Virginia. Scotts-Irish immigrants were the dominant settlers as they were tough people who could handle the conditions. The culture remained intact because few people moved in or out.
Coupled with our jagged borders, there are many unique regions that all have their own subcultures. The southern coalfields that are featured in the documentary are the most remote with steep terrain and narrow valleys. The Kanawha and Ohio River valleys are deeply influenced by chemical, glass and steel manufacturing histories. The majority of the population lives along these great rivers. The North-Central region around Morgantown and WVU was older mining areas but now a renaissance in technology and aviation industries. The North and Northern Panhandle are benefiting form Marcellus Shale natural gas. The Eastern Panhandle is the fastest growing region as people migrate there from Washington D.C
Then there are the Allegheny Mountains that run along the eastern and southeastern regions. This area is sparsely populated but contain the most natural beauty. The nation's newest national park, The New River Gorge National Park, is located here.
There are so many stories to tell just here in West Virginia. The Silver Bridge collapse and "Mothman". The Marshall University football team plane crash. The Buffalo Creek flood. The many mine disasters. Hatfield-McCoys feud. The rebirth of Whitewater and the tourism industry across the state.
Then there's road building in Appalachia where it's totally different from any other part of the US.
Stop by and see me anytime in Charleston, a city that changed hands five times during the Civil War because of its strategic location close to the salt mines. Salt was important to keeping meat procured before refrigeration. Thus both sides needed it to feed their armies.
Generations of my early relatives were from that area. Im being called back there. Was born in Ga, raised in Oh. Now Im in Az, and ready to head home.
I just want to homestead and grow food.
With the big goal being to be a forerunner in creating a total local community coop food supply. Id be there already if I had running transportation. I really needed this vid and all the comments. Thnx!
Thanks for the quick summary!
get a honest governor, remove the corporation land seizure and allow the people to hold both surface and mineral rights, require the corporations to stop polluting the land AND remove the pollution left behind...
there are many places shown that the State seizes after the Coal Co abandons but the State will not sell to the people...
there is zero justice with Governor Justice, and the legislature maintains the injustice by not allowing/honoring Land Patent Rights to the people...
speculator Robert Morris had a hand in seizing a large part of WVa when it was Virginia, WVa is the majority land owner and the US is second largest, THIS is why the people cannot open land, GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION...
I need a gig and a place to rent or buy, I'm in rural Texas, but I'm a direct descendant of David Crockett, so I've always liked the Tennessee Smokies and West Virginia scenery, I've always wanted to live up in the mountains.
I wonder if he explained the whole story about the whites from WV?😂 I know I met one when I was riding motorcycles through one town, I stayed with a neighbor from military, and I couldn't believe the story, they even showed me dancing outlaw, and my friend who was riding with us locked himself in the bedroom for the night, he was black, and trusted nobody who was that crazy😂😂
I'm a Londoner watching this and I can honestly say it's one of the most educational things I've ever found on tube or even on the internet. The legal slavery aspect with its own printed money blows my mind. I'm originally from East London from a breed of rare proud people which has been treated poorly and totally broken so I totally sympathise with you beautiful people.I'm totally in love with the accents and warmth of the people. I've definitely wrote this place on my bucket list. I'm guessing like us here none of this important history is being taught in the schools. I hope everyone gets to see this video and wish you all happiness and health out there.
Another part of this area that isn’t spoken of much are the Coal Mine wars. They were an attempt to get treated with some decency rather that the scandalous exploitation they had to endure. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia_coal_wars
My family settled WV. A separate country was planned for WV called Vandalia and at the Charleston state capitol on memorial day every year we have a Vandalia Day Festival with state Banjo, Mandolin, and Fiddle championships on the grounds around the state capitol. It's a good time and place to visit. Also have a few legal moonshine businesses now they didn't discuss. Can ride over 800 miles of ATV trails on the Hatfield McCoy Trails system. Canam used the trails for durability testing and development because it's difficult terrain..
I grew up in Appalachia with a _thick_ accent. Sadly in our own country the accent is often associated with ignorance so in order to present oneself in a more professional manner people will try to shed the accent and have more of a "generic" american accent. I myself did that (I work in tech), but I always seem to "code switch" when I'm around other southerners.
I’m a New Yorker whom has always been fascinated with West Virginia. My accent isn’t always appreciated either. I lived in London for 17 years. Mostly North London, so I understand your affinity with being judged by accents and where you grew up.
missj, I'am one of those proud people, a cockney born in Mile End, now living in Canada.
I went back to see where I grew up some years back. The pearly kings and Queens where gone, along with road signs in English. Mile End was unrecognizable.
Good luck to you missus!
I'm from the UK, and ever since I was a kid, I've had a really strong desire to visit W.V. I don't know why, maybe some past life stuff or s.thing...one day I'll make it out there 🤞
It looks spectacular.
I talked with a man while cutting his hair from that area that worked the mine for 27 years and he told me that at least once a week you knew there would be at minimum one serious injury or death, that there was little if any protections in place and they work 12 to 24 hour shifts, spending days at a time down there then rotating out. The pain and hurt in his eyes while he talked to me about the mines and life there is something that I will never forget, it was truly haunting. He said coming to NC has been one of the best choices he made but that will always be home.
this has got to be one of the, if not THE best channel for showing the true colours of communities and societies not only in America but across the world.
That's so nice of you. Thank you from my wife (who edits) and me :)
The exact opposite of what the MSM shows you.
@@PeterSantenello The editing is professional. Your camera work is fantastic. I stumbled upon your Amish video about a year ago and was really impressed with how you get into the heart of a place while making it look effortless (Well, I see the effort but you just will it to happen with seeming ease.) Great charisma. I love your channel. Never stop.
Wait till you see the whittakers
@@WayCoolJr27t’s incredibly refreshing to see all of the good people instead of the division we’re bombarded with in the media. I always have a better day after watching one of Peter’s videos.
Thanks Peter. That was a ton of fun. Thanks everyone for all of the positive feedback. ❤
Thank you Jimmy, that’s what I call a great story, thanks !
You did a great job , touring this amazing area.
Coming from Sweden, i would love to visit.
Good job, Jimmy! I live in the Mediterranean and just love leaening about the parts of USA we never get to see or hear about on mass media.
You were such a great host/tour guide Jimmy. Thanks so much for showing us your beautiful neck of the woods and telling us about the truly fascinating history of the mining companies and especially about how the scripts were used to, essentially, enslave the miners. I doubt I would have ever known about that if it weren't for you.
your knowledge was very impressive. Thank you for being his guide and letting us all listen to some people from there
Man on man, this is a beautiful place, and as a guy from the UK in his 50's, I wanna visit this place and meet these people ❤
Peter I just commented on your next long Appalachia video, about my family and the area they were from in WV. Then I find this video and you are in my family's hometown. My maternal Grandfather owned the gas station at the corner of Valley and WV-10/Arista Mountain Rd in Matoaka, WV. I'm not sure if it was still there, but there was a huge swordfish on the back wall with a glove hanging out of its mouth. That store was my favorite place on this entire planet and I never, ever have been able to pass it without crying.
My whole family lives in a small holler near there called "Weyanoke" and there is still so much of my family there today. Thank you, again, for this video too. This one really brought tears to my eyes. This place holds such a special place in my heart, and in the history of this Country. Nobody ever knows Matoaka when I say it, and I can't explain how nice it is to see this video getting the exposure it is and that name being spoken. Matoaka is such a beautiful name, and was another name for the famous Pocahontas.
I always tell my fellow Europeans when visiting America to not waste time in New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas and instead explore the other great states. I from the UK and I visited Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky and Tennessee and the people I met in these states are some of the best people I have ever met coupled with the absolutely beyond beautiful nature and scenery.
Yeah, big metropolitan areas are just a theme park, like everywhere else on the globe.
I would not count New York in with LA or Las Vegas especially. New York is one of the most unique places on the planet. It's the height of foolishness to think otherwise, and to avoid it. LA also, is a world city definitely in it's own right, and there's a ton of beauty to it and lots of amazing things to see. Would also not discount it at all.
Las Vegas is an abomination, and I would defintely never visit it. It's a corporate hellscape that had its soul ripped out in the 90's.
@@frizzz209227 Thats literally true of every city and every rural area in the entire world lol. Has been since the first cities thousands of years ago. Whats your point?
@@Drax514 Sorry, but today's NYC is awful.. I live 30 mins across the Hudson in Jersey and as I youngster, I would go into the City because it was thriving, nicer people, lots to do, etc.. Today as an adult, I wanted my kids to experience NYC so after many years not being there, I took my kids to the Highline, just to give them a little taste of the NYC and let me tell you, people have gotten more rude, saw crime happen right in front of us, garbage all over the sidewalks and traffic was just terrible... that's just some of the issues... and oh yeah, let's not forget the rats the size of toy dogs... My kids can go on their own if they want now that they are driving... me? I would not step foot in that city if you paid me.
@@grep67 Well I was just there for two weeks in March and walked literally over 120 miles of New York streets and sidewalks and I had the exact opposite of the experience that you described. In fact, Manhattan was cleaner and less infested with homeless people than Denver is. It was astonishing. So yeah, I highly, highly disagree with your experience. Not saying you didn't have it, but I was in literally every single neighborhood of Manhattan and saw a fraction of what you described. I also have no idea what you're talking about with the High Line being crime and rat infested. There was literally not a single ounce of trash anywhere in the park during the three times that I walked the entirety of the High Line. Also not to mention the fact that the High Line goes through some of the most wealthy neighborhoods in Manhatten solely. Its literally full of nothing but rich hipsters and tourists, not rats, criminals and trash. Also, rats exist in every single concentration of humans, even smaller towns. I didn't see a single rat in my walks around NYC, for the entire two weeks. The only time I've seen rats was in Denver, coming out of the sewer grates and they were the size of my god damned cat.
My great grandfather died in the mines, and the coal company kicked my great grandmother out of her company house, and threw all of her belongings in the street. She went on to build a house, herself, out of old pallets and whatever else she could find. My grandmother remembered waking up and seeing sunlight coming through, between the boards of their "new" house, as they were gradually still piecing it together.
It's sad what has happened. Especially when all that land was private and big Corp. Came in lying and jipping. Now these families some dating back to old settlements, are sitting here scratching their heads. Not knowing that they were on million (with today probably billions) dollar land. Just having to sit on their porches with thoughts of what could have been.
Wow
That is so horrible that they did that to women. Absolute greed driven mentality.
This series about the Appalachians should be seen by all Europeans who have a prejudiced opinion of Americans. They are very down-to-earth, don't just chat about small talk, but talk to you in plain language. But they are nice and even though they are among the poorest people in the USA, they are incredibly generous and will pay your bill.
Should be seen by all Americans too. You be surprised to know how many Americans have traveled the world but only been to tge big American cities, and live in one too. No idea of the real America.
I remember going to Appalachia for an outreach program to help build homes. The people we met would put several real construction workers to shame. The ones we met that live in that reagon were able to know who is best for what in the job, and help get us working efficiency. Good people.
Almost Heaven HFH?
I am a Native Appalachian Woman from Western NC. It is so nice for you to come to our Appalachian mountains to show our heritage. Thank you .
I am a disabled former female police officer. I was the 3rd female in our whole county to become a officer. I have a AA and BA in Criminal Justice. People in the Appalachian mountains are very smart people. We go to college and we also can live off our land.
Are there Mexicans in tapioca?
BEAUTIFULLY said! A perfect example of who we are with Appalachian roots! My family is from South Western Virginia and Western NC ... I am PROUDLY Appalachian descent!! Beautiful people, beautiful hearts, take care of each other, laugh together, cry together, grieve together, celebrate together, loyal to the lifestyle and the Mountains! And some of the best cooking you will EVER eat!!
Be blessed my friend. Thank you for sharing your words!
@@Stephanie-kt9vhI'm European. I've heard so much about the Appalachian way and it's people. It looks so beautiful and the people are incredible. I visited the US, but wasn't impressed at all. Now I realise I should have concentrated on the Appalachian districts. I love the sense of community and their pride in living there.
@@elizabethgrogan8553 You probably went to New York or Los Angeles or Miami or some other huge city like most Europeans. That's a horrible idea.
@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist1 Quit spamming. Quoting Bible verses on CZcams isn't going to convert anyone, you moron.
Jimmy is an amazing tour guide and sure does his state proud. Thank you to all of the W.V. residents that so graciously took part in this video and showed us all around.
Thank you, I love WV
I'm not sure that laughing at people living in school or a trailer park is doing it proud. He should have told this idiot to go back home if views and clicks was his goal. The world gets it, WV is poor and struggling.
He really is- it’s tragic what’s happened to the deep arteries of our country; especially when politicians are all about destroying entire populations with little to no regard for those left in their stead.
I used to travel with my dad as an over the road trucker in the ‘80s, and one stop we made was to a little place in Wytheville, just down a ways from Bluefield. I remember (as a 12-year old, mind you) half mocking the twang in their voice and coming dangerously close to a backhand from dad, who imparted a wise lesson I never forgot.
‘Does it occur to you that they listen to you flapping your jaw and think the same thing? Different areas speak differently and the worst thing you can do is judge someone based on the color of their skin or the twang in their speech; never take differences for weaknesses or you’ll find yourself in a world of trouble.’
We need more love for Jimmy
Salt of the earth people. The backbone of the country. "Elites" who think they know best have no idea how wrong they are. Love these trips, love these stories, much love from rural Arkansas. ❤
As an Appalachian, it warmed my heart to watch this. There are so many negative stereotypes about us West Virginians. I live less than 100 miles from Wyoming County, in Cabell county, and while Cabell county has a lot more urban/suburban areas, we still have the same kind of rural areas where there’s extremely nice homes out in the middle of nowhere. My house feels like I am a hour away from the nearest big town, but I’m only 5 minutes from a 4 lane road and 10 min from all the shopping/restaurants/hospitals one could need. To me, that is the best of both worlds. In my lifetime (I’m almost 40), the bridge I have to cross to get home has went from a one lane wooden bridge to a three lane concrete one. I remember getting my learners and driving license and having to learn the code with the one lane wooden bridge. It blows my mind we had these little wooden bridges just 20-25 years ago. Much ❤️ from western WV
I'm from the UK 🇬🇧 and I grew up in a mining village in the North East and remember the miners strikes of the 80s. Our prime minister at the time sent in hundreds of police and soldiers dressed as cops to fight our parents and grandparents who were striking against the closure of our mines. Mines were the heartbeat of our communities and when the mines closed our villages ended up almost slum like as people moved out and property fell into disrepair.
My heart goes out to these guys ❤️
Arthur Scargill picked the wrong woman to fuck with.
Yeah, but you should mention that most of these mines were state-owned industries that were spending more to extract coal than could be had selling it.
@@The_Ballosorry that has no significance. Fresh industries should have been put in place before closing the mines to enable better quality work for the population, but as you well know Thatcher wanted to destroy the miners union.
@@robertbarbour7017 ...by whom? Do you think the government knows how to invest money that isn't theirs?
Wrexham?
I am first generation out of Appalachia, my father left when he was 25 for Arizona, my grandma had him at 14. The people there are the salt of the earth for the most part. My great grandparents were so unbelievably poor they would have one outfit for a whole year and would get a piece of fruit for Christmas. There were 13 children but 7 died. Thank you for sharing the beautiful parts 💛💛💛
Wow what a story. Would you mind sharing how 7 children died ? That seems an awfully high number, just curious as to why this happens ? Poverty, sickness, coal etc? If that's too personal no worries :)
@modelingmotherhood omg are you pretty. Where you from?😊
why at 14? she was just a kid omg
@@singingflowers7456 historically speaking 14 isn't that young ! In modern times it is.
@@modelingmotherhood no its still young even historically, but times were different back then especially if you were poor & in a rural area
I’m from New Zealand and West Virginia is definitely on my wish list now. I’m planning to visit the USA in a few years. The people are amazing. The scenery is beautiful. See you soon. Can’t travel while my dog is still my best buddy.
I’m in WV! Def come in June -October! The hills r beautiful!
As an Ohioan, when I tell people I want to retire to West Virginia (Lewisburg area) they look at me like I'm nuts. Beautiful part of the country. I think I'll disappear into the mountains and never be heard from again. lol
Best place live off the land
I am European and my wife is American and African. I came in 2013 to start my studies and since the begging the narrative was these states were bad, racist. However, after marrying my wife we have traveled around a lot of these states and have found their people to be of the best character and super kind, hospitable. Especially West Virginia, we go there every year to purchase a calf and love the farmers.
And we thank you.
Thanks for visiting
So maybe you have realized how the fake news propaganda conned you, that people are racist. When it’s the fake news people whom are the racists.
My parents and most of my relatives were born and raised in rural Ohio. The majority of the population was white. In my experience, most people would be very nice to the face of anyone who wasn’t white, but behind closed doors was a different story. I heard plenty of old white Appalachian folk spew racism when there were only white people around.
The Scottish Highlands and the Appalachians are the same mountain range, once connected as the Central Pangean Mountains. Remnants of this massive mountain range include the Appalachian Mountains of North America, the Little Atlas of Morocco, Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, and part of Greenland and Scandinavia.
Wow! Super interesting. Thanks!
Interesting, especially considering how many Scots-Irish settled in Appalachia.
Thanks for sharing this information. I'm from Appalachia, WV and I didn't know this. Awesome ❤
@@dangerdan2592 for an other example. Ohio what's hilly and has a lot of plains to farm has the highest hungarian population and to be honest it does make sense. Its the same thing. I get why people move to similar areas after immigration
So in way, my Scottish and Irish ancestors ended up back where they started lmao.. That's crazy, I can't believe I'm just now finding out about this..
Honestly, I'm sure I've heard of this before but just forgot lol..
The geography of the Appalachian, dunno what it is, but it pretty unique. I don't know of anything like it on Earth. All the narrow, but not to deep, valleys. Same with the ridges in-between, and the thick green forrest everywhere. It's beautiful! I get why many don't wanna move, and are proud of it. The geography makes almost anywhere remote too. Since all the road goes trough the valleys, and not over the ridges. I hope I get the chance to experience it someday.
Thank you from California for sharing faces and voices of America I knew nothing about. Your piece was heartwarming, informative, and connecting.
As a WV Studies teacher and native of WV, it truly surprises me of the ignorance of people who have no idea of how receptive and friendly we are in Appalachia and WV.
If you could choose, which areas in WV would you want to live?
I have never visited WV , but hope to someday get a chance to visit it and meet some of it's great people and to enjoy it's fantastic beauty ... WV rocks !
blame Deliverance.
When we were there a friendly person took our truck and was in the middle of removing the parts to help us out when we got the truck back. My guess is they were going to polish them for us...
Peace be upon you, David.
You're a West Virginia Studies teacher?! Wow! And a native of WV too!
Have you thought of starting your own CZcams channel sharing your knowledge and insights about WV??? Do think about it.
Also, which underrated places in WV would you recommend to someone to visit?
Appalachia is the one obvious place for Peter to visit, that he hadn't yet done.
I've got high expectations for this one man!
Appalachia and Louisiana. Wanna see some Cajun Country content also.
@brownjatt21 for sure.
@@brownjatt21 oh yeah Cajun Country would be great!!
Jimmy's comment about his experience in basic training brought back some good memories. The most friendliest guys I met there were guys from WV and KY who never left their small towns. It was interesting seeing them experience for the first time being around "different" people. They would have some deep personal conversations about how eye opening it was for them. I'm Asian and grew up just outside of Washington DC.
I am from a coal area in England .It all died in 1980’s and the whole place died just like in this video.Thing is we still have a lot of coal but the politicians say we can’t use it and import energy from all over but China is allowed to use coal no problem.We are just pawns of politicians.
I’m strangely enthralled by the Appalachia series and can’t wait to see more. This has landed West Virginia on my bucket list of states to visit.
DITTO on “visit” part!
The old school ny father went to in Lynch KY is now a motel. Coal mining museum and mine tours nearby.
Alderson is a cute place to visit. It's where my grandpa grew up. Great people
And Blenko ❤
My family is from weston, it's quite small and has some interesting sights like an old "lunatic asylum" they do tours and I believe some paranormal tours if that's your thing. Elkins has a SPECTACULAR environment with an amazing brewery called big timber that's worth a visit!
I grew up in WV and still call it home. One thing I did not hear mentioned is the tress. Almost all of the trees in Appalachia are new growth. This is because of two things, the first being deforestation which had some impact. The next being a fungus that killed off the American chestnut tree which would grow to be as big as 5-6ft across. 130 years ago the entire area was filled with these trees and they dominated the landscape. Roughly 4 billion trees died, only a few remain now.
Fed a lot of family’s and made people from the hollers a little money by hauling them into town and trading/selling them. I’m from Virginia and my grandpa remembers the American chestnuts demise and it caused a lot of hardship for people who lived off the land. Proud to be an Appalachian, wouldn’t trade it for any other place
I read that they're doing American/Chinese hybrid chestnut trees now because the Chinese one is resistant to the fungus. The scientists have found quite a few pure American chestnuts that apparently developed the ability to resist the fungus so they took those and bred them with the Chinese version. You can even order them via online catalogs those days,
My grandfather has old pictures of some of the white oak trees that were cut in Mingo County. One picture was of a tree stump with 3 mules standing side by side in the middle of it.
The Mingo Oak
Peter you are the best journalist out there. You have no agenda coming into this and you just show it as it is. I am European living in the US and I have employed Southern country folks for many years and I can tell you they are good people. Hard working, dedicated and loyal as long as you treat them with respect, honesty and you can level up with them.
It's horrible what the coal industry has done to these people. We as a nation should make sure that kind of thing dosen't happen . I think the tourists thing is a really good fit for that area. The people there are natrual tour guides and story tellers and historians. I think the world should see how friendly people really are, and most are curious and like to learn about other people and their stories. The landscape is natrual draw for artists too it is really beautiful mountains. I'm not from wv , from Maryland but I have a lot of love for people of appalachian mountains ❤️🙏
I’m 26 years old, I spent my whole life in Bluefield until I was 22, then I moved out of state. There is no place on earth like West Virginia. The people, the environment, it’s all totally unique and has its own “flavor”. Thanks for making this video and showcasing my hometown. Now I’m feeling homesick and need a trip back home to visit my mama!
When you’ve had enough, come on back. We’ll leave the porch light on for you.
I hope you’ve booked a ticket to go see your Mama, she’ll fill your heart and been home again will fill your soul. Godspeed.
@garywhitt98 Good morning what is the name of the town in the very end of this vid where the bar was where they said there's no cops or sheriff?
Good morning could you please tell me the name of the town at the very end of this vid where the bar was where they said there's no cops or sheriff thanks
@@jamiejones6994 No town. Rider's Paradise in Pinnacle Creek near Matoaka WV in Wyoming County, WV. Google it and you'll see their website.
My sister drove up from South Carolina to Ohio a couple weeks ago, she ended up having car issues in WV, which ironically was in a small town like what you see here. Needless to say, she was treated so well by the local people and they helped fix her car, which was the result of one person knowing another.
Had this same thing happen to me when I was driving back to Ohio from rafting on the New River Gorge. My car overheated and I pulled into a very small, mountain town. The gas station was clearly the "hub" of the town with most of the activity going on. So many people, young and old, stopped to see if I was okay and asked if I was okay and needed anything. I really appreciated that sort of kindness a lot. This was May 2021, so just a few years ago.
So true, the people here are the most helpful and generous that I have ever met.
I was alone and my alternator died in the middle of nowhere in WV late at night 100’s of miles from home and I was amazed how great I was treated and my alternator was fixed by a man that was booked up for months and charged me minimally. So thankful!🥰
My husband and I are from Mingo. We moved to PSL FL 4 years ago and love it, but…
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads!!
Thank you so much for this amazing video, it has brought me so much joy! God bless you and yours!
You know, this was great. As a black person, I was definitely expecting a sea of confederate flags because that's what you think of when you hear W. Virginia, especially as someone who grew up in the Carolinas. I see way more Confederate flags on a couple hour ride to the beach than what seemed like an all day tour of southern West Virginia. I love videos like this that show the truth. Seems like great people, living in the mountains, and working as hard as they can to keep their community going.
stay in the city.
Jimmy is doing a great job. I love early when he explained the 60k houses actually didn't go down in price as a result of coal industry leaving but he said "they never went up.". I love this episode. 😊
The man in the overalls at the restaurant was a wealth of knowledge. I would love to see an entire episode of him giving West Virginia history. I spent my teens and twenties (now in my forties) in West Virginia. I loved it there. The people are great and the history is extremely important to what makes America the greatest nation. I do believe that gentleman in the overalls at the restaurant would make an amazing lecturer. Please revisit. Great video and you have a new subscriber!
And he drinks Guinness!!!...even better!
Natural gas destroyed coal. Coal can't compete against natural gas in the market place. Gas is so much cheaper to produce.
100%
Seriously, he should be a history teacher
I'm Australian and my husband is American, we're looking both watching this video in absolute awe wanting to move there, it's absolutely gorgeous, we love it. 😍
Beautiful people, beautiful place. This part of the US seems sooo simular to the mining communities of the UK.
My cousin lost his daddy when he was 13, he quit school and went to work in the coal mines of West Virginia in his daddy’s place to feed his younger siblings. When the mine shut down he moved to Tennessee to work at the Carrier Factory. He hunted and grew a large garden, he was a such a productive man with a positive outlook on life.
Most of the coal miners in my area are suffering from something similar to PTSD. Their union was telling them to vote Democrat even as the Democrats were saying they would end coal. Then one day they woke up to hear the mines were closing and their union had left town. I've seen them start talking about politics then realize they were repeating Democrat talking points and literally start crying. It's like everything they ever believed turned out to be a lie.
@@tonyrmathisah, the Union scapegoat. Those poor coal companies under the evil thumb of Union workers. I've worked in both Union shops and non-Union. I haven't been to a meeting yet that discussed politics. If anything, they're specifically avoided. They do talk about grievances, safety issues, upcoming contract negotiations, events that may be going on, the current local budget, etc.
As far as the Union "up and leaving", that isn't how it works. Unions have to be voted in or dissolved by the workers themselves. Unions don't choose who and how to represent, that's all on the employees.
So your cousin is either very mistaken, or just lying to justify his reason for being laid-off or the company going under.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people will bow to a company for a paycheck. The groveling is pathetic.
@@ElectricBuckeye No, I have had many family members who were members of the UMWA. They never saw any of the benefits that the union promised to give them such as rations. All that stuff went to West Virginia or Kentucky and hardly ever made it to the mines in Southwest Virginia. Not trying to bash the UMWA (as they really helped in WV), but they did not do much of anything for miners in Southwest Virginia. The UMWA also told all their members to vote for the democratic party, they have always said this.
@@ElectricBuckeye
First! I never said anything in defense of the companies.
Second! I posted FACTS about what happened to miners here in Walker and Jefferson County Alabama.
Third! The UMWA openly stated it's support of the Democratic Party for decades.
Forth! The Democratic Party has a history of appointing union officials to government positions. A clear indication that they can have ulterior motives for supporting the party.
Fifth! I never mentioned my cousin. You've mixed up posted in your knee jerk response.
You're repeating the very same political talking points as the miners I mentioned. In your binary mind the world can only be seen in terms of good and evil. The Union being Good. The Company being Evil. Sorry to be the one to burst your bubble but both can be Good or Evil depending on how they treat the workers and in the case I mentioned it was the Union that was evil. The companies for all their flaws aren't responsible what the union's political ALLIES did to the industry.
So take your partisan BS elsewhere. If facts hurt your FEELINGS perhaps you should attack those who created those facts not the messenger who relayed them.
@@hilohilo9539 I've had generations in my family in the UMWA (great-grandfather, grandfather, father). I've never heard anything about rations. Ever. Its always been about pensions and the cradle-to-grave medical coverage. If you're talking about the strike fund, that's primarily on the locals. All the anti-Union rhetoric came about in the 80s with neoliberalism under Reagan. Certainly guys had their own opinion on who to vote for, but that was never something discussed on an official level. Hypothetically, if the national did tell the locals to vote Democrat, thats who historically had always supported Unions and collective-bargaining as a whole in contrast to conservative Republicans and businesses who have traditionally pushed against them or attempted to get them dissolved, citing them as detrimental to a free market and profitability. So could you blame them if they did?
Saturday just got way better 💯💯
💯🤔 you're not lying Rolla Jizzy and grab a beer this might be better than Saturday morning cartoons in the 80s😂😂
Idk bout that……Saturday morning cartoons were pretty legit!!…..no disrespect meant Archie…..
Peter, as someone from Pulaski Co. Kentucky I am riveted by your unbiased portrayal of these fascinating people from our region. Thank you for doing what you do. A lot of people aren't brave enough to venture into these places and some people just don't care to get to know us. Keep doing what you're doing. Warmest regards!
Very respectful and an honest accounting of the situation, from the perspective of those living in the town(s). Well done, and thank you for your work. You have captured the essence of a beautiful state, town, and group of people.
As someone who was born and raised in West Virginia and who still lives here, I love seeing our state being represented in a non-judgemental light. Do we have issues here? Of course we do. But everywhere as issues, they might just be different issues.
I would choose to live here everyday. I love my state and my people and I am proud to say I am from West Virginia.
West Virginia is beautiful and so are her People!!❤️
" everywhere has issues" So true, i live in Philly and the fentanyl just ruined this place! don't get me wrong it was always a rough city, but the people were always GREAT imo, but now its just unrecognizable. when you walk down these block all you see is the people strung out on that shit, and if you go in early morning before the sun rises the sight is scary those folks that are struggling really look like zombies, they are the real walking dead! and no one cares everyone is just cold and matter a fact about it. its like we lost our humanity here, those people are still our brothers and sisters at the end of the day...With that said i wish all of you in West Virginia the very best!
@@origintrackz5235Your comment is quite sad. Heartbreaking.
You probably have a lot less issues than California!
@@soulight77 California is significantly diversified & bigger and more complex than that of WV. Lump all problems into sum. No doubt CA got way more issues. No policy satisfies every one. Ca embraces a large influx of people including those from WV continuously
European here. I was lucky enough to be able to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. The people are THE BEST. Most generous, down to earth folks one can imagine. So often they would feed us hikers. It really restores ones faith in humanity. And the way they are portrayed by mainstream culture and the media lead to my awakening.
Once you understand who controls the mainstream media it's all very clear.
I just can’t believe how beautiful Appalachia looks. It gives a nostalgic feeling even if you’ve never lived there
Blessings for all Appalachian people
Live in the NC mountains. Similar situations here, but not coal related. Used to have large furniture factories and other industry that has been replaced by Chinese imports.
I used to upholster furniture decades ago in western NC. It was good money, but hard work. They used to threaten our jobs with taking them to Mississippi when we wanted a raise. Then came China. I may be cynical, but I wouldn't doubt if Nixon's intentions all along was to enter the Chinese labor force for his cronies.
@@catamountmpls just look at all the politicians like Eric Swalwell and corporations like Apple and the NBA that sell out to China. And most importantly, you the consumer that buy Chinese products over American products. To try to pinpoint it to one person is short sighted. Free market trade and the use of cheap labor was inevitable.
@@catamountmplsWe never should have given them Most Favored Nation status, but both Democrats and Republicans supported it over many decades.
@@GreatDataVideos Some Democrats, but not most. The party was mostly dragged by Reagan into outsourcing. I'm not saying it's all bad. I don't want China's pollution here. But it was an uniquely Republican agenda.
@@catamountmplsEasily one of the best things Trump did was waking both parties up to the dangers of excessive outsourcing and essentially forcing the issue.
Edit: I’m not a massive Trump fan, but there’s an argument to be made that Dems are more pro outsourcing now than the GOP.
Strong Scottish Links in Appalachia, down to the very land Itself. Interestingly, communities here were also devastated when coal mining stopped.
The area and the buildings are BEAUTIFUL!!! That Company Store is amazing. So sad about the history, the health issues, and the decline. I hope the locals can find a way to reenergize the commuity.
I really enjoyed listening to the guy who drove you around. What a genuine human 👏🏼👏🏼
That’s my Jimmy! :) He’s the best ❤
Thank you so much.
Jimmy was an awesome individual! Having a girlfriend west of Atlanta (I used to live in Gainesville, GA!) will sure pull at his heartstrings! Maybe they can figure out a way to do 6 months a year in each place! ♥️
@@shaanarisley343 maybe so! :) I’m actually from there, too. ;)
Big Hoss pouring himself a Guinness at the 45 minute mark. The Scots-Irish culture of Appalachia is still alive and well in West Virginia. Interestingly enough the Appalachian range and the highlands of Scotland and Ireland were part of the same mountains before the land masses split apart. It felt oddly at home to those folks.
From a can...
But that was before the dinosaurs...
He knows a good beer
He knows a good beer
These people that have Irish and Scottish in them aint nothing like real celtic people in Scotland or Ireland these inbreds would be disowned
I'm loving this Appalachia series. I can't wait for you to come to Alabama. So many differences within this state, from the tech city of Huntsville, to small town life scattered across the state, Birmingham's steel and mining industrial past, Civil Rights historical areas such as Montgomery and Selma, and down to the touristy Gulf Coast. I hope it will be a series!
I'm from Ireland this serious is really showing me a very different approach to coal and the people who gave their life to it. It makes me sad and angry the government has really treated these people so bad they are on the side of the call company not the people who actually built America
This is insane. I'm from Texas, and never really had any idea the life my Appalachian brothers and sisters were going through... Thanks for all these videos, Peter, they do not go unappreciated 🙏
Me personally growing up on the Appalachian mountains here in Pennsylvania and West Virginia I’ll die believing most of the country will ever know what it’s like. People just don’t wander around that area without knowing it.
outside the foliage and natural scenery it looks like everywhere America. lot worse places in WV than this
I live in Southwest Virginia a couple hours from Bluefield. Tough times here in the mountains but we are a tough people. Folks who talk about white privilege need to visit these areas.
It's always been tough here, bub.
All that white privilege. Man those white people have it easy!
This channel should win an award for the authenticity and content.
Very interesting way to look inside the reality of West Virginia these days. As a German I know a little bit about the situation and we have some shorter documentaries but this one is amazing work. Give the people a voice to tell their stories. The gentleman with the long beard is really a authentic witness of the history of coal mining in this particular region.
So many similariries to here in middle Europe countryside . Nature people, way of thinking, down to earth, simple, great.
Hello from Australia.I’m a coal miner from down under.I have been working in coal mining for over 34 years.I’m a mine Deputy.I think you call them a fire boss in America.Thanks for showing us how other coal miners and their families lived .This was a fantastic video mate.There are lots of similarities between our two communities.I grew up in a small miners cottage on land owned by the coal company.My father was an electrician in the mine.When the mine closed they sold the land to people who owned their houses that were on the company property.My mum still lives there.Thanks again for your video and hello to all the miners and their families from Australia 🇦🇺 By the way,I have lots of folks I’m related to by DNA who I’m matched with on ancestry DNA that are from Appalachia.I’m a first generation Australian from a Scottish family and I know a lot a Scottish people migrated to Appalachia.Cheers from down under…
Aussie my end too😊
where in Australia?
@@karmariver2480 Victoria
@@karmariver2480 Victoria
@@karmariver2480From Wollongong ,New South Wales.It’s about 50 kilometres south of Sydney,on the coast.
…I just LOVED that man in overalls, talking outside the diner about the history of coal-and the battles fought by the miners…. “A mule was worth more than a man….” Damn.
Girl from Texas… this is soooo coooooolll!!! I love your culture! I love the history and how it’s highly contributed to today’s America! I love the accents and the fact that all these people are practically SUPERHEROES, defying any and every obstacle! And I love the bar out in the woods!! Everything they expressed about supporting each other…. It’s made me proud to be an American but also ashamed at how low we strive now. We will do better. I just love everything about Appalachia! Thanks
Just got back from West Virginia 2 hours ago from Canada. Toured as much as I could. I can’t wait to go back. I loved every minute of it. Watching this video now as I miss it already. Thanks for posting.
I am not an American, nor I live in America and it warms my heart to see these hard working proud people of Appalachia.
God bless them.
Where u from exactly?
Earned my subscription. As a person from the Appalachia's I really appreciate the respect and eagerness to learn you show the history and culture of the people and area. Hardships breed good people and I think that the people from the heart of Appalachia prove that.
Well said❤❤🎉🎉
Yes It's often people who have the least, give the most! x
This gives so much insight to WV. Thank you! We had stopped in WV while traveling always wanted to visit. Gives us good insight & breaks all the hear say. Thank you
Also just subscribed.
Hardships also bred Nazi’s, historically and today, and we’ve currently got a lot of Appalachian transplants rolling coal on our grandparents, shooting everything that moves, waving guns around & threatening to kill everyone who isn’t just like them in another civil war to prove that. Seems a mixed bag, at best.
Now these are people are really " salt of the earth ". Very admirable 🇨🇦
As an Indonesian, who is well known in the world as a country with the friendliest people on earth, I did not suspect that there would be such a thing in America, which incidentally is a free, hedonistic, modern country, and many of its people's behavior is not in accordance with our culture (I'm sorry, once again I don't mean to badmouth the United States, but that's the reality). Really , I was amazed to see this phenomenon , wow , extraordinary . This is the true American Dream. Proud of You, Mennn!!!!! Peter, I wish you could make more useful vlogs like this and introduce more of a different side of America than the one that's already well known.
My family come from Whitesburg KY and Pound VA. I have watched many documentaries all designed to focus on poverty, drug addiction and no education. This is how freelance videos should be made, talking to good friendly people who love their town and their heritage despite the obstacles. This video causes me to want to visit these towns and people.
Thank you for sharing
My family are from those areas too. I was born in Lynch, parents from Benham and Cumberland area. Grandparents lived in Whitesburg for many years. Can remember going across the mountain to Big Stone Gap for some of the best fresh produce I’ve ever eaten.
"It's hard to take a West Virginian out of West Virginia", that is a very true statement. I grew up in McDowell County and moved to Texas when I was 18. As great as Texas is, there is something about these mountains and people that brought me back. I moved back after 32 years away. Thank you for being so kind and respectful. We get a bad rap and so many don't see the true nature of this place or the people in it.
it's definitely cheaper than Texas
that must be it.
so true, i was born and raised in boone county in a 200 yr old log cabin, i moved to indiana in 1980, but WV will always be the home i yearn for
@@jamesmitch9792 It is is some ways, but I still love both places.
@@southernfury01 People who have never experienced living here can't relate. It is a much slower pace, but that's what I love about it.
Coming from the UK, this is especially interesting to watch. Very informative and Jimmy was a a fantastic tour guide giving a brilliant local and personal perspective.
I’m a new sub to this channel and look forward to watching more videos
Thank you so much. In Germany, we also had a big coal mining industry in my area. I can really relate to this.
Shout out to your tour guide, Jimmy! What a joyful person this guy is. He’s talkative, informative, knowledgeable and SO friendly! You couldn’t have found a better person to take you around. Wish you’d have mentioned his name in the description, he deserves at least that much.
Great start to your series. Looking forward to more.
I wholeheartedly agree! Jimmy’s A #1
Thank you very much. It was fun for sure.
@@jimmyperdue3112 Absolutely! I feel like without you, this your wouldn’t have been nearly as successful. I’m not from the area, but you made me feel like I was. 😊
I think Jimmy is full of shit. Most of what he says is questionable. Find a more accurate guide as you continue your journey.
@@jimmyperdue3112this was an amazing job by you. What a great source of knowledge you were. Glad you’re in the community!
Living in Norway and even after watching all of Justified 3 times, I still think Appalacia looks like a beautiful place, and I really want to visit. There are some amazing musicians, beautiful nature and great food.
Det stemmer det. Musikken er utrolig--fjell musikk som minnes om gamle norkse folkestilen. Jeg ville is at livet i Appalachia er baade sot og aggresivt, hvis de to kan forbindes.
Say when. I live 1 hour drive north from Bluefield in Beckley WV. I will be glad to host you and show you around.
As a Swede living outside Los Angeles I can confirm that people in the Appalachia are some of the kindest I have ever met.
@Clae....sweet to who. Maybe only kinfolk
norway is the most beautiful country in the world.
I just love their accent! Im french and when I was living in Arkansas, one time I said to a man " Im sorry I dont understand everything that you are saying because of your accent" and he replied "its you who have an accent!" 😅😂
West Virginia is BEAUTIFUL! My grandma grew up there and always loved going back from time to time. You will not meet more welcoming and down to earth people anywhere else. Nor will you meet people more proud of where they came from. A lot of the family worked the mines and yes they are now gone but the rest of the family are doing well and will never leave