ABC 20/20 A Hidden America Children of the Mountains

[Porcelain Interior]

Did anyone else watch this and cry buckets of tears?

[amj'smommy]

That's what I wanted to DVR I remembered I had wanted to DVR something but couldn't think of what it was for the life of me.... I wonder if they'll re air it?

[Porcelain Interior]

You can go to ABC.com and then click on 20/20 and watch it.

They also have an extensive list of ways to help.

I also read someone's comments on the show and they listed an organization called "The Box Project" where they have you sponsor a family and send them a box once a month with things you want to donate. That way you get to be in touch with actual humans if you prefer that instead of just sending money to an organization. The website for that is: http://www.boxproject.org/index.html

I'm thinking we might do this. It's really hard to watch that program and just do nothing.

[kathymuggle]

Yes, I saw it. I think the filmakers did a great job. I am annoyed at Purdue and Mountain Dew:

The kids were so sweet and forgiving....I wonder if all kids are so forgiving or just those set by such hardship?

Kathy

[MusicianDad]

Kids tend to have an incredible ability to forgive. It's one of the things I think us adults could learn from them.

I'm annoy by the guy that owns the mine building a huge ass house in the middle of all that, when he could maybe use the money to help those who need it.

[HisBeautifulWife]

It's here http://abcnews.go.com/2020

If you want to help there's a list of resources here http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6845926

[waiting2bemommy]

yes! I want to run out and buy her a car so she can get back and forth to her GED classes.....go mama for not giving up!!!! unfortunately *I* dont even have a car yet, lol.

[Porcelain Interior]

Originally Posted by MusicianDad

Kids tend to have an incredible ability to forgive. It's one of the things I think us adults could learn from them.

I'm annoy by the guy that owns the mine building a huge ass house in the middle of all that, when he could maybe use the money to help those who need it.

I know right? They sure will be motivated to work hard (for the rich guy) when they see what hard work can accomplish (a big mansion) even though it's a big lie.

The only way those kids will ever be able to make it unfortunately is to leave the mountain for a while gain skills, find a way to make a living and maybe bring that back to their community.

The entire thing was just seriously upsetting.

The miners trying not to lose their jobs when being questioned about "black lung" and safety with boss man standing off camera.... We all know the truth. The mine owners know full well the health risks the miners face and they bleed the life out of them for cash.

[aprons_and_acorns]

We watched last night as well. DH and I saw a documentary last year on PBS called Harlan County USA. It was about a mine worker strike and it is hard to watch but SO worth it. Seeing yesterday's episode of 20/20 really made me remember that movie and the people we "met" through watching it. Strong and humble people like the ones Diane Sawyer interviewed last night.

Here's a link to more info about that movie if anyone else is interested:

Harlan County USA

[terrordactyl]

i'm watching it and crying

[ErinsJuneBug]

I almost died when i found out the football player ended up leaving college. I was so sure he was going to make it out. =(

[HarperRose]

My dad grew up in Barboursville, WV, near Huntington (home of Marshall University - there was movie made about the team that died in a plane crash). My parents moved back there about 11 yrs ago. It is a very depressed area, both economically & emotionally. But it's also beautiful, green, and has down to earth and plain old nice people.

My mom is buying mattresses for the teenaged children of a family she knows. One of them was given my mattress from when I was growing up.

My dad wants us to move up there but it just wouldn't be economically feasible or smart for us. We're going to visit in April, though.

I read the articles about the program online yesterday. They kept referencing "hollows" and it took me a few references to figure it out. It's a hollER. HOLLER. And everyone is related and ppl have flat out disappeared back in there.

WV (all of Appalachia, really) is beautiful. If anybody ever gets a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

[MusicianDad]

Originally Posted by Justthatgirl

I read the articles about the program online yesterday. They kept referencing "hollows" and it took me a few references to figure it out. It's a hollER. HOLLER. And everyone is related and ppl have flat out disappeared back in there.

Actually it's both. A holler is simply a different way to say hollow.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

I am so sad. Angry too. I'm not really sure what we can do, we're poor ourselves but not destitute by any means...

I've always made it my life's mission to help people... I wanted to become a doctor and open my own free clinic when I was a teenager... I feel like I'm doing a really bad job of helping now.

[mom0810]

The teenage boy just broke my heart. I was so hoping he would get away from there forever and make a good life.

I was so grossed out by the teeth! They give their kids Mountain Dew as babies? Do they know it's full of caffeine? Oh my goodness, I thought that was just unreal.

I liked the fact that the mine owner built his house there. He could have built it anywhere, but I think it was respectful of the people in the area to show them what he did through hard work and that they could do it, too. He came from a family of miners, didn't he? And I think he did it to show that the place they live in is not one to escape, but one to work on and to love who they are. I wasn't offended by it at all. I thought the home was in bad taste... kind of an ugly house...he should have designed it more to fit the landscape... but I did not think it was offensive or that he was doing it to say "look at me" at all.

[THANKFULFORFIVE]

I was just telling my dh about it this morning! I am truly ashamed that I did not even know that places like this existed here in my own country! I mean, I know people are poor...but the isolation? I had NO IDEA! And DAMN that Mountain Dew!!!!

[kathymuggle]

I will address this later (I am out the door to Winterlude - which makes me blessed -I own a car to get there, the means to provide lunch while there and a community event to go to).

Generational poverty is hard to escape (I would hazard that most don't)

There is a line to an old song that rings in mind as I write:

"...there but for the grace of you go I...."

Be happy for what you have, don't point fingers, and help if you can.

Kathy

[leerypolyp]

Originally Posted by mom0810

I was so grossed out by the teeth! They give their kids Mountain Dew as babies? Do they know it's full of caffeine? Oh my goodness, I thought that was just unreal.

(at the sentiment expressed above)

I liked the fact that the mine owner built his house there. He could have built it anywhere, but I think it was respectful of the people in the area to show them what he did through hard work and that they could do it, too.

again,

[Amylcd]

I'm assuming this was about children in Appalachia... which is the area in which I live. I will definitely have to watch this.

Originally Posted by mom0810 View Post
I was so grossed out by the teeth! They give their kids Mountain Dew as babies? Do they know it's full of caffeine? Oh my goodness, I thought that was just unreal.

It is VERY common to see babies have "pop" in their bottles in this area... even from people who have college educations. You would think an RN would know better, but it is just so common that even she put pop in her 11 month old daughters bottle.

Where is SuperStella? She currently lives in a "holler" in WV. I lived on one (on a farm, 2 miles up a dirt road or "holler") as a child... it was one of the most beautiful places in the world.

[Mamax3]

Originally Posted by mom0810

I liked the fact that the mine owner built his house there. He could have built it anywhere, but I think it was respectful of the people in the area to show them what he did through hard work and that they could do it, too. He came from a family of miners, didn't he? And I think he did it to show that the place they live in is not one to escape, but one to work on and to love who they are. I wasn't offended by it at all. I thought the home was in bad taste... kind of an ugly house...he should have designed it more to fit the landscape... but I did not think it was offensive or that he was doing it to say "look at me" at all.

Yes, I just watched it again and he said his family are miners AND he worked his way through college by working in the mines.