Having been born and raised in that part of the country, I know many children and grand children of 'West Virginia coal miners' who went on to great success and happiness in life. The children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren of Jefferson's slaves remained slaves themselves through their lives.
That you say you would choose slavery over freedom suggests that you don't understand either.
You say you know many descendants of coal miners, but apparently not any actual coal miners. So these people obviously opted not to follow the glorious path of their ancestors.
ML/NJ