Exploring Primary Sources: Environmental Activism in Appalachia Exercise

In 1998, Elk Run Coal, a subsidiary of Massey Energy, enlarged a coal processing plant immediately beside the small town of Sylvester, West Virginia. Part of the plant expansion included tearing down the bluff that had been protecting the town from coal dust. Elk Run operated with uncovered belt lines and uncovered coal stockpiles, and soon Sylvester, downwind, was coated in coal dust: homes, businesses, churches, and the elementary school were all affected. Two local residents, Pauline Canterberry and Mary Miller, documented and monitored the dust in Sylvester by taking videos and photographs and by gathering coal dust samples from all over town using Handi-wipes that they carefully labelled and stored, and the women soon became known as the “Sylvester Dustbusters”.  

Below you will find materials related to the Dustbusters’ fight to protect Sylvester residents from coal dust, including newspaper clippings and a letter from Pauline. As you look at the materials and work through the discussion questions with your group, think about the context in which these were created and consider what unique knowledge and perspective we can gain from them. 

Brainstorm. List 10-20 words or phrases about the documents/items. Start with the details of the document, like topic, names, publication, etc. What do you find interesting? Strange? Do you find anything appealing or disturbing? Things you don’t understand or are unfamiliar with?

Bias. Identify some biases in play. What do we know or what can we infer about the speakers? Whose perspective is represented? Who is the target audience? 

Context. Think about the when and why of this primary source. What gives their voice authority? What should we be wary of? What makes this a valuable resource to the topic? 

Language. How are these topics and perspectives sensationalized through the language used? Identify some key words or phrases that are meant to elicit strong reactions.

Power. What power relationships can you identify in the materials? Can you identify any gaps or silences? Try to think in terms of format in addition to content. 

Reflections. What can we learn from these materials? How is our understanding of the topic enhanced through these first-hand recollections? What are some avenues for further research on this topic? Why does this matter?