The East End of Bluefield, West Virginia, has generations of outliers with deep rooted culture and community loyalty. The main artery of the community, the Historical Grant Street Bridge, was permanently shut down in June 2019, due to years of poor to no maintenance. The community members were led to believe that there were minimal solutions, if any, for a replacement bridge. Forced to use two inconvenient and dangerous routes, frustration, shock and disappointment increased when obvious DISPLACEMENT was on the horizon. Facing a clear case of environmental and racial injustice(s), this African American community, who had a rich history rallied together, organized and confronted. Collectively, their contributors to the immediate and distant cultural landscape throughout Appalachia, the nation and the world, had been scarcely shared but they felt environmental equity, historical acknowledgement and health justice was their due as tax paying citizens and human beings.
“But when dem Negros gots upset dey starta conjuring up dat love fo dey PLACES holding dey memories and got tu slanging da Sweet Blood o’ Jesus, e‘en dat ole slave hoodoo dust, ya know. Marchin, meetin, shoutin, all dat.” Showing toothless gums, she laughed and slapped her knee, “ya’ll betta git readi.” Giving a sly wink, she spat tobacco and wiped the dribble on her sleeve. Ms. Brown leaned back in her worn rocker and sipped some ‘shine from the tin cup, then, with a slight head nod spoke confidently, “yea, dat bridge,” she paused and leaned forward, “it comin… wit o’ witout dem people who thank we don’t no nuffin, it comin.”
Storyteller: Blu James