I grew up 5 minutes away from JD's Middletown, OH and my families life and path were very similar to his. That said, I learned different lessons that his vapid hate of people who struggle. I learned that Big Business (the coal mine owners) were in it for profit and screw the working class rubes who they hired. At least he can pronounce "Mamaw" correctly but that's about it.
I was already very much looking forward to your forthcoming Passage du Desir write-up, but all the more so after this.
For a great read on this I suggest this from the always excellent "Bitter Southener"
https://bittersoutherner.com/hillbillies-need-no-elegy-appalachian-reckoning
I grew up 5 minutes away from JD's Middletown, OH and my families life and path were very similar to his. That said, I learned different lessons that his vapid hate of people who struggle. I learned that Big Business (the coal mine owners) were in it for profit and screw the working class rubes who they hired. At least he can pronounce "Mamaw" correctly but that's about it.