Rock Lung
Series: Living with Coal in Eastern Kentucky
From: Appalachian Media Institute
Length: 00:05:38
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Piece Description
In Letcher County, KY coal mining is the best job there is for many people. It?s a part of our history, good and bad. The industry affects so much more than just the job market, it shapes who we are. With all the risks, to both people and communities, associated with coal mining you might wonder why anyone would go into the mines. We talked with our friends and family members to find out why they became miners and how mining has changed their lives.
Broadcast History
broadcast locally
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- 4 also bought:Son of a Coalminer (00:02:56)
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The Hula Lesson (00:57:26)
Phil Corriveau
Posted on January 16, 2006 at 03:09 PM | Permalink
Review of Rock Lung
This excellent essay is one of a series produced by Eastern Kentucky youth called "Living with Coal in Eastern Kentucky". In this piece, Autumn Campbell talks about growing up as the daughter of a coal miner. She intersperses her narration with that of her father, who suffers from rock lung disease. It's a poignant piece of work, and you can hear the labored breathing of her father as he matter-of-factly describes the work in the mine and his own condition from working on a rotary drill. The piece is well produced and edited, and flows nicely, never sounding forced. It's a very personal story, well told, and I enjoyed it very much. It also happens to be timely, with the Virginia coal mine accident still very much on people's minds.