Coal

Coal mining in western Kentucky during the 1920s.

James and Evelyn Glass talk about their experiences as African Americans during the Great Depression. The Glasses discuss their experiences working in the coal mines, the economic conditions of the time, and the impact of the New Deal legislation on the Black community. They also discuss the formation of unions, the hardships of raising a family during the Depression, and their social activities. The Glasses note that while city dwellers faced soup lines and extreme poverty, those in the coal mines were able to make a living due to the company owning everything, including housing and stores. They also discuss the impact of World War II on their lives and the economy.

Hinko was executive director of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition at the time of this interview. She talks about public housing, homelessness, partnering with other local organizations to provide services and describes the work she has done within city government around housing. She describes the mission and work of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition.

Narrator describes experiences in the Kentucky Air National Guard from 1939 - 1945. Discusses the coal strikes as well as involvement in World War II.

Interview regarding the history of Louisville's LGBTQ movement with David Lott, a bisexual white man active in gay/lesbian rights causes since early 1970s. Lott was a leader in early gay-politics organization, Greater Louisville Human Rights Coalition, and March for Justice, Inc., the originator of the annual march out of which idea for Fairness was born. More recently a co-chair of Kentucky Alliance against Racist and Political Repression.

Introduction: Narrator's family background and its long connection with the coal fields and the railroads of the eastern United States. Main topics: background on the Clinchfield Railroad and its role in industrial development in the Atlantic coast areas; importance of coal traffic to the L&N Railroad; history of the three major coal reserves: eastern Kentucky; western Kentucky; and northern Alabama; coal routes and changes in both railroad and mining technology; description of the major coal types and the uses of each.