"If not ME, then WHO?"

Seems to be a lot of name-calling in the West Virginia hills these days. Like "tree-hugger." I'm not one, but I'm flattered to be called one. And I am NOT an OUTSIDER! I'm drawing the line on this one. My family goes back to General Andrew Lewis and the Pioneer Moses Moore. I was born here. I've lived in West Virginia most of my life. And I choose to stay here!

The events that unfolded at the 4th of July picnic on Kayford Mountain really kicked up this "outsider" thing again. As much as I respect their need to have a job, the coal supporters made it clear that if you're lopping off mountains, mucking up the drinking water and killing people with coal dust then you're a native - you belong here. To the contrary, if you dare stand up against these blatant violations of the earth and people on it - if you stand up against mountaintop removal coal mining - then you're an outsider. Oh! Or you're a hippie. That's a cute one.

The people attending this event were not hippies. Most were people who have lived in coal country all their lives - or they were college students, from Shepherd, WVU and the like - or they were volunteers with Christians for the Mountains and other such groups.. There were librarians, ministers, coal miners, mothers, housewives and children of miners. The people who attend these events and rallies in Appalachia are not vigilantes.


Christians for the Mountains, for example, has opened a house in Ansted, WV, where volunteers come to learn and give of their time helping people in the coal field communities. They help them through hard labor and friendship. They build fences, plow gardens, paint houses - and they pray. They happen to oppose mountaintop removal.

I have visited Able Families in Kermit, WV. They operate a true community center that provides clothing and food for poor families. They hold classes and teach parenting, how to cook meals, how to "construct" a casserole, how to inspire children to get an education and find a job. They too oppose mountaintop removal.

My point is that we are not a bunch of crazed hippie environmentalists. We know what the problems are. And we know from past history that the government has never done what is required to bring stable jobs and healthy, viable communities to those living in the shadows of King Coal.

We're not perfect and we're not aspiring to be martyrs. But we all pick up and do what we can. The common thread that binds us is the belief that there is a better way - a new way - to do things. And we're trying.

The nay-sayers see us as trouble-makers. The politicians view us as a nuisance. We see ourselves as sisters and brothers united for a common cause. We stand with our fellow mountaineers in the coal fields because we know the answer to the question "if not me, then who?"