For the Blood Is the Life
From Julia DeBruicker
| 00:09:44
Producers: Julia DeBruicker
In the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky, rural communities use their own ingenuity to resurrect a worn down economy centered for too long on timber and coal.
Three generations - nephews and nieces, uncles, great uncles - of one family shepherd us through the harvest of their homegrown meat goats. They discuss how mountain-raised meat fills a savvy local niche in the global economy and share how their expectation of the second coming guides them in their craft.
Broadcast on Mountain Community Radio WMMT-FM in 2003 and transom.org in 2004.
2 Comments
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Review of For the Blood Is the LifeHere's an unusual mix that's sure to turn a few heads: religion, children, and goat-killing. This story provides a fascinating glimpse into Appalachian family life and tradition as it weaves together the laughter of children, the the sweet but final bleats of a yearling goat, some heartfelt biblical testimony, and practical advice on raising and killing goats...
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Broadcast History
Mountain Community Radio WMMT-FM, Whitesburg, Kentucky. November 2003.
transom.org. March 2004.
Transcript
For the Blood Is the Life
Transcript
2003-2004
Produced by Julia DeBruicker
9m43s
Julia
Today what we are doing is slaughtering goats. We are butchering them, and then grinding and pattying up their meat, because what we are going for is a fresh crop of goat burgers, raised locally, right here in the Appalachian mountains.
James
Good meat. Real good meat.
Julia
With us are two year-old male goats, which, because they?ve been gelded, are called withers. W-I-T-H-E-R-S. They?ll provide the meat, and here?s who?s showing us the ropes. First is our guide, Dylan.
Dylan
Hello. I am Dylan. Can I start over?
Julia
Next, Dylan?s uncle Dock, a pastor who moonlights in goat farming.
Dock
- and the Lord made it very, very clear in Genesis, chapter six, right after the flood. That?s when he gave permission. Before that, men didn?t eat meat. But he did give permi...
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Additional Files
- Transcript (goatstranscriptapr04.doc)
- Transcript (goatstranscriptapr04.doc)
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Additional Information
- Produced: Oct 01, 2003
- Added to PRX: Apr 02, 2004
- This piece is in English
David Weinberg
Posted on October 16, 2007 at 08:34 AM | Permalink
Review of For the Blood Is the Life
The narration of this piece feels like it's being whispered in your ear while you stand with barefoot kids in overalls who gape in awe as the goats are slaughtered and the blood pours out onto the soil. I am always entranced by the sound of people who hail from the mountains of Appalachia. The tape of the kids is great. Their perspective on the whole process is funny and honest and not to sappy. The quotes from the bible and the references to Sunday vividly portray the role that religion plays in the lives of Appalachians. There is even a reference to the economics of the meat industry. What a great story.