Posted on 04/24/2012 6:36:46 AM PDT by Daffynition
It was a county formed 19 years before the Civil War.
But in the towns lying between borders in Owsley, in the coal fields of eastern Kentucky, a portrait of Americans shows a community that appears frozen in time, where many still live without water or electricity.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Appalachian county has the lowest median household income in the states - a staggering 41.5 per cent of residents falling below the poverty line.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The poverty line is just a number. If your cost of living is less than your income, you will be OK.
“And then there is this: “
Indeed. Truly awesome documentary. Which is what makes me wonder if the families depicted in the UK article are as drug-riddled and dependent upon government handouts as the “Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia”. I can guarantee you that all those “proud and independent” “Appalachian” folks depicted are 100% supported by a gazillion government programs paid for by taxes on those who actually work. I’d give it a 90% probability that drug abuse is epidemic there as well.
There’s no such thing as pride and self-sufficiency among the poor anymore. The poor, no matter where they live or the color of their skin, are now all wards of the state. The UK article is nothing more than romantic bullshit.
I remember watching some documentary or news story on the tv many years ago about poverty in Appalachia. They interviewed a number of people and many them complained that there were few to no jobs where they lived. Prompting the question: why don't they pull up stakes and get out then? Which is basically the history of the world. From the dawn of human civilization, when things got bad, people pulled up stakes and moved on to greener pastures. If the job prospects are poor where you live, and you don't want to relocate to where the jobs are, I have little sympathy for you.
Remember that guy I said lives below me in a single wide? He’s 15 years younger than me and looks 10 years older. He is also very excited that after failing in court many times, he finally got his disability approved. That’s right. The family is supported on his disability. He is also the brother of the local sheriff, who (fortunately) sees him for what he is)
On a side note, he mows the lawn at the base of my driveway for me. :-) People love to mow lawns around here. It is the local pastime. Beautiful, too.
Jed Clampett: What do you think Pearl? You think I oughta move?
Cousin Pearl Bodine: Jed, how can you even ask? Look around you. You live eight miles from your nearest neighbor. You’re overrun with skunks, possums, coyotes, and bobcats. You use kerosene lamps for light. You cook on a wood stove, summer and winter. You’re drinkin’ homemade moonshine, and washin’ with homemade lye soap. And your bathroom is fifty feet from the house. And you ask should you move!?
Jed Clampett: [ponders all this] Yeah, I reckon you’re right. Man’d be a dang fool to leave all this.
I have visited eastern Kentucky for many years and while this piece may have been correct 30 years ago, it seems wrong now
There has been dramatic change in the hollows off the roads. The roads them selves are much much different.
there are good 4 lane roads into the heart of the country.
Hazard was squeezed between the ridges in a narrow valley. Today a good road by passes the town and there is major, prosperous expansion.
Up US 23, the little towns have expanded up the 4 lane, very good road to the point they almost come together.
I have been up several hollows for quite a long way and find good solidly built and well maintained homes. There are of course trailers but they are in far better condition than years ago.
I’ve traveled about 15 miles off the hiway up a steadily narrowing hollow and up a ridge to a shop that rebuilds and exports Cat front end loaders. He gets his customers off the internet.
I’m certain there are still poor folks, but the change in my life time is truly remarkable.
Home viewing bookmark.
I am from Appalachia and want to go back. Most of the people there have a broad independent streak bordered by a deep distrust of the government. Ronald Reagan spoke for us when he said the 9 most frightening words are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”. We’ve been the recipients of their “help” in the past. ;)
There was an article in the Readers Digest some years ago about an old woman up in the hills who inherited a goodly sum from an unknown relative. The reporter asked her what she’d do with all that money.
He reported, “She looked around her tiny, bare-walled cabin with its dirt floor, thought a few moments, then said “Give it to the poor, I guess.”
bm
Steinbeck belonged to a communist writers' group. He was introduced to agricultural union leaders through communists.
Leftist writers romanticize by making the poor seem more humane than the rich, more sociable, more caring.
They're very clever. Even today in S. California they are using Steinbeck to promote the illegal immigrants' cause in the agricultural areas.
Interesting...... the map reflects my observations. The red counties are to the west of “eastern” Kentucky of which I spoke that is mostly white or beige now. Years ago, those counties were most definitely red
In undergrad school, I devoured Steinbeck, IIRC, I read every one of his novels. Loved his *style*. Being a product of a fiscally conservative/socially democratic upbringing...I became interested in the plight of the migrant worker. I went to lectures by Mario Savio and Cesar Chavez. [Both pretty good community organizers]. I don’t think the term *illegal alien* was even on the radar yet. :)
Then along can Barry Goldwater nad WF Buckley, and I was swayed by their speeches and writings. IMHO, while your brain is still *mush* to expose yourself to many ideas. You will find the *way.* I recall attending a series of debates between Rev Billy Graham and Mario Savio at MIT....Rev. Graham chewing Savio up and spitting him out. ;)
Good luck in your education. All the best.
The school population is 60% "economically disadvantaged" (not sure where this fits WRT the "poverty level").
They are in the bottom 10% for household income in the state.
Many of the children have neglectful, abusive home lives. She deals with Child Protective Services with heart-breaking regularity.
50% of students take home backpacks with food from the local food pantry every Friday so they have something to eat over the weekend.
They are in the TOP 2% for Elementary schools for academics in the state.
All because she and her staff tell them "you can and will behave" and "you can and will achieve".
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