Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Session 3.09 Poster Session
Presentation #1 Title
Coal Dust Curse:The Politics of Black Lung & The Stories of Miners Who Have It
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Coal dust control policies and laws designed to protect coalminers from the preventable disease of black lung have been in place for decades. In particular, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act was passed in 1969 to drastically reduce the number of miners suffering from black lung. However, two independent studies conducted in July 2012 revealed a dramatic increase over a 10-year period in both underground and surface miners with the dreaded disease. Given the multiple sacrifices Appalachian miners have made throughout history, dating back to the late 1800s, it is unconscionable that they continue to sacrifice not only their quality of life but their very lives. The presenter has collected oral histories from Appalachian coalminers to record the voices of these men, capture their life stories, and document for posterity their lives living with black lung in the 21st century. Moreover, the presenter will include information about a dance performance piece,The Shadow Waltz, inspired by her oral histories and choreographed by a dance professor colleague, Deborah McLaughlin.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Theresa L. Burriss is the Chair of Appalachian Studies and Director of the Appalachian Regional & Rural Studies Center at Radford University.
Presentation #2 Title
The Politics of Black Lung & The Stories of Miners Who Have It
Coal Dust Curse:The Politics of Black Lung & The Stories of Miners Who Have It
MSC Lobby
Coal dust control policies and laws designed to protect coalminers from the preventable disease of black lung have been in place for decades. In particular, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act was passed in 1969 to drastically reduce the number of miners suffering from black lung. However, two independent studies conducted in July 2012 revealed a dramatic increase over a 10-year period in both underground and surface miners with the dreaded disease. Given the multiple sacrifices Appalachian miners have made throughout history, dating back to the late 1800s, it is unconscionable that they continue to sacrifice not only their quality of life but their very lives. The presenter has collected oral histories from Appalachian coalminers to record the voices of these men, capture their life stories, and document for posterity their lives living with black lung in the 21st century. Moreover, the presenter will include information about a dance performance piece,The Shadow Waltz, inspired by her oral histories and choreographed by a dance professor colleague, Deborah McLaughlin.
