McSpirit, Faltraco, and Bailey’s book titled Confronting ecological crisis in Appalachia and the South: University and Community Partnerships (2012) is all about community involvement, social justice, and community development skills from different parts of Appalachia. It challenges the traditional role of universities and introduces ideas that are the basis for Participatory Research. One thing that stuck out to me in the early chapters was that true community change starts with people who care and are involved.
(more…)Category: Appalachia
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Mabry Mill – The Internal Destruction of Appalachia
The issues at Mabry Mill have been a concern for locals for a while now. But thanks to the efforts of people in and around the Meadows of Dan area, these concerns are starting to get some attention. I went there today with my son, taking photos around the site. Surprisingly, there were a lot of people walking the trails and enjoying the place on the day after Christmas. Even someone from Pennsylvania walked by and said in a friendly way, ‘Happy Holidays, and what a beautiful place!’ Well, it is a beautiful place, or was once upon a time in my memory. But today, even with the grayness of winter, the stark contrast between the lack of attention and the beauty of the place is obvious. Maybe even more obvious than the lush green of summer.
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