“One coal operator quite explicitly said that you need a judicious mixture of white mountaineers, black workers from the Jim Crow south, and immigrant workers in order to maintain division. So the effort was very intentional to divide workers along the lines of immigration status, language, and race..”
Barbara Ellen Smith, Professor Emerita of Virginia Tech
Board member of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is at the site of a historic battle which erupted in May of 1920, setting into motion a chain of events that led to the largest armed uprising in the United States since the civil war, and offers the largest exhibition of Mine Wars history anywhere in the United States.
It is a people's history museum based in Matewan, WV, where they tell the story of the deadly, decades-long labor struggle between coal miners seeking unionization and the powerful industrialists who opposed them in the early 20th century.
The museum seeks to ensure this history doesn’t miss another generation, but will instead inspire new ones. You can stay connected and keep up-to-date on Museum happenings on their social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) or their e-newsletter (sign up for updates here).
Learn more about the museum, become a member, and plan a visit: https://wvminewars.org
Barbara Ellen Smith is an American author, activist, and educator. In 2017 she was named professor emerita of Virginia Tech. Barbara is known for her involvement and writing about social justice in Appalachia, particularly the black lung movement and advocacy for coal miners. Barbara is also a board member of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum and Chair of the Museum Fundraising Committee.
About the Labor Solidarity Podcast
The Labor Solidarity Podcast highlights the work of labor leaders, organizers, and labor journalists while discussing historic struggles and the importance of organizing with the goal of building international labor solidarity. Learn more at: https://www.empathymedialab.com/laborsolidarity
The Labor Solidarity Podcast is an EMLab production and we are a proud member of The Labor Radio Podcast Network. All links: https://wlo.link/@empathymedialab
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65. Kayla Blado, President NPEU & Timothy Sheard, Publisher of Hard Ball Press - LRPN Weekly Livestream
64. Good Friday Miracle - Audio Essay - Pandemic Nurse’s Diary - A Tribute to Healthcare Workers Fighting Covid-19
63. In the ICU - Pandemic Nurse’s Diary - A Tribute to Healthcare Workers Fighting Covid-19
62. Publisher Tim Sheard (full interview) - Pandemic Nurse’s Diary - A Tribute to Healthcare Workers
61. Publisher Tim Sheard - Pandemic Nurse’s Diary - A Tribute to Healthcare Workers Fighting Covid-19
60. Policy Dialogues Ep.11 w/ Maya Rosenberg - Purple Line and Public Transportation
59. SMART Local 33 Organizing Director Eli Baccus (Ohio) - LRPN Weekly Livestream
58. AFL- CIO Georgia President Charlie Flemming - LRPN Weekly Livestream
57. Liz Medina of En Masse - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
56. Policy Dialogues Ep.10 w/ Professor Julie Greene - Labor History
55. Steve Zeltzer of Work Week Radio - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
54. Belief Street - Fratelli Tutti - Introduction and Chapter 1
53. Jeremy Waugh of Break Time Breakdown - Sheet Metal Workers SMART Local 110 - Louisville, KY
52. Judy Ancel host of Heartland Labor Forum - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
51. Deborah Burger, Co-President, National Nurses United
50. Tony Reardon, President, National Treasury Employees Union
49. Policy Dialogues Ep.9 w/ Anora Wang - Discussing Antitrust Law and Public Policy
48. Rick Smith host of The Rick Smith - Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
47. Bama Athreya host of The Gig Podcast: Labor Radio Podcast Member Spotlight Series
46. LRPN Member Spotlight: Maximillian Alvarez host of Working People
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