Darryl, the picture you painted of the Appalachian folk prior to the coal mining really resonated with me. My political philosophy has evolved a lot over the years going from a tow-the-line republican as until two tours in Iraq cooled me off to the global adventures of our elite and then I delved deep into Libertarianism but after several years in the corporate world and all of the greed, corruption, and incompetence I saw there cooled me off to the idea of a completely privatized society, at least one in our modern corporate context. Now I don’t have any political philosophy, but whatever that pre-modern, honor-based, tight knit community you described is called- that’s what I am all about. All of modernity’s projects be damned, I’ll take the village’s rule of custom over the empire’s rule of law any day of the week.
This was one of your best podcasts to date, and you already had a high bar set there. Every time MartyrMade releases a long one, I know, in some small way, it will change me. I was a New England kid, seems like we never got a seriously proper appreciation of what being an "American" is. It didn't carry a real identity with it. But there is such a thing as a real American, and i hope we remember what it was that these men and their families suffered and fought to the death for, it certainly wasn't simple in being "riled up" as you thankfully point out. The person who comes to that shallow of a conclusion isn't so much speaking of those miners, but of themselves. Those "deplorables", "rednecks", "hillbillys", "white trash" have more history here, have more America in their blood than just about anyone else. Their story is so untold, I would think most Americans don't even know that they have real stories like this, this summoned tears to me. Especially with Steve Earle at the end there, thanks for that.
My five- and six-year old kids got to listen to the first three hours on the ride home from our vacation. Not one peep did they make. I’m sure they were as captivated as me.
I got goosebumps listening to this. I grew up on the ohio side of the Ohio River Valley not far from the Huntington and Southern WV and a lot of that hillbilly culture permiates up here as well.
Years ago I did a 23andMe test and no surprise I'm Scots-Irish but when I asked my dad what his ancestry is he gave a simple reply "I'm an American". I thought it was an odd response at first but after listening to this you've given me a better perspective. Also helps that he's Union and knows some of the Hatfield's since he hauled cars for them when he was a teamster. This podcast was personal, thank you
Darryl, I’m only 2 hrs in but I already believe this will be your best series. Great job!
As an fyi to other fans, I think some good background context to this episode are some series on the inward empire podcast- soldiers of capital covers the pinkertons, and the great strike covers the railroad strike of 1877
I’m not sure who ran that podcast but possibly a guest in a future martyr made conversation style podcast?
The mining companies' treatment of it's employees was despicable. The fact that our federal government sided with the mining companies is beyond despicable. Since history tends to repeat itself with governments there is no doubt in my mind our government would not hesitate for a nanosecond to use the FULL force of the American Military against We The People and sleep like babies at night while doing it. That is something we all need to be cognizant of.
I grew up in Fayette County, PA. I grew up in a town that still has an active mine fire. My grandfathers worked coal until they went to war and came back to the railroad. I know this history and the history of my area very well, as it was my heritage. If you’re ever interested in pics and details of what was once a company town (Leisenring, PA) the company store (now historical center and country store) and library (now a P.O.) are still standing across from the coke ovens that used to litter the hillsides around Connellsville/Uniontown. It’s an area with rich history from the French and Indian wars to Whiskey Rebellion to the Rust belt that ensued after the closing of the coal mines, coke ovens, railways, and steel mills.
They stripped bare the land, stripped bare the people, and then left like a thief in the night leaving environmental destruction and economic devastation in their wake.
Some people still know the old ways, but were forced into their “society” and now are forced to stay long after the industry left. Society was never theirs and never cared. That culture is dying due to tech. The inter connectivity has made evolution of culture and integration with “society” more inescapable. The days of Appalachia are dwindling. The old ways are being forgotten. With every passing generation Appalachia becomes more urban.
Like they all wanted “We will own nothing and be ‘happy’”
MartyrMade #22 - Whose America? ep. 1: Rough Extraction
Darryl, the picture you painted of the Appalachian folk prior to the coal mining really resonated with me. My political philosophy has evolved a lot over the years going from a tow-the-line republican as until two tours in Iraq cooled me off to the global adventures of our elite and then I delved deep into Libertarianism but after several years in the corporate world and all of the greed, corruption, and incompetence I saw there cooled me off to the idea of a completely privatized society, at least one in our modern corporate context. Now I don’t have any political philosophy, but whatever that pre-modern, honor-based, tight knit community you described is called- that’s what I am all about. All of modernity’s projects be damned, I’ll take the village’s rule of custom over the empire’s rule of law any day of the week.
This was one of your best podcasts to date, and you already had a high bar set there. Every time MartyrMade releases a long one, I know, in some small way, it will change me. I was a New England kid, seems like we never got a seriously proper appreciation of what being an "American" is. It didn't carry a real identity with it. But there is such a thing as a real American, and i hope we remember what it was that these men and their families suffered and fought to the death for, it certainly wasn't simple in being "riled up" as you thankfully point out. The person who comes to that shallow of a conclusion isn't so much speaking of those miners, but of themselves. Those "deplorables", "rednecks", "hillbillys", "white trash" have more history here, have more America in their blood than just about anyone else. Their story is so untold, I would think most Americans don't even know that they have real stories like this, this summoned tears to me. Especially with Steve Earle at the end there, thanks for that.
Whoooooo it's a labor day miracle!
Thanks for all the hard work Darryl! Really appreciate all the hard work that goes into these.
From the hills of WV, thank you for this one. Cannot wait to listen to this one
My five- and six-year old kids got to listen to the first three hours on the ride home from our vacation. Not one peep did they make. I’m sure they were as captivated as me.
Congrats on getting through this one Daryl. Looking forward to taking it in.
Damn! 6 hours of the best listening out there, work shall be better tomorrow, thank you for all the work you put into the content!
Wow 5.5 hrs... Now that's a proper episode 1.
Feel free to take off early for the weekend .
MartyrMade Sid Hatfield shirts?
I got goosebumps listening to this. I grew up on the ohio side of the Ohio River Valley not far from the Huntington and Southern WV and a lot of that hillbilly culture permiates up here as well.
Years ago I did a 23andMe test and no surprise I'm Scots-Irish but when I asked my dad what his ancestry is he gave a simple reply "I'm an American". I thought it was an odd response at first but after listening to this you've given me a better perspective. Also helps that he's Union and knows some of the Hatfield's since he hauled cars for them when he was a teamster. This podcast was personal, thank you
Darryl, I’m only 2 hrs in but I already believe this will be your best series. Great job!
As an fyi to other fans, I think some good background context to this episode are some series on the inward empire podcast- soldiers of capital covers the pinkertons, and the great strike covers the railroad strike of 1877
I’m not sure who ran that podcast but possibly a guest in a future martyr made conversation style podcast?
As I am listening to this I can’t help but ask, what is the difference, if any, from a company town and a Soviet or Communist city?
May have accidentally run an additional 5km while listening to this
The mining companies' treatment of it's employees was despicable. The fact that our federal government sided with the mining companies is beyond despicable. Since history tends to repeat itself with governments there is no doubt in my mind our government would not hesitate for a nanosecond to use the FULL force of the American Military against We The People and sleep like babies at night while doing it. That is something we all need to be cognizant of.
I grew up in Fayette County, PA. I grew up in a town that still has an active mine fire. My grandfathers worked coal until they went to war and came back to the railroad. I know this history and the history of my area very well, as it was my heritage. If you’re ever interested in pics and details of what was once a company town (Leisenring, PA) the company store (now historical center and country store) and library (now a P.O.) are still standing across from the coke ovens that used to litter the hillsides around Connellsville/Uniontown. It’s an area with rich history from the French and Indian wars to Whiskey Rebellion to the Rust belt that ensued after the closing of the coal mines, coke ovens, railways, and steel mills.
They stripped bare the land, stripped bare the people, and then left like a thief in the night leaving environmental destruction and economic devastation in their wake.
Some people still know the old ways, but were forced into their “society” and now are forced to stay long after the industry left. Society was never theirs and never cared. That culture is dying due to tech. The inter connectivity has made evolution of culture and integration with “society” more inescapable. The days of Appalachia are dwindling. The old ways are being forgotten. With every passing generation Appalachia becomes more urban.
Like they all wanted “We will own nothing and be ‘happy’”
Why are Oil workers better paid than Coal workers? Was there a time when Oil workers were treated like Coal workers discussed in this episode?