The East End & North Side(North Side) of Bluefield, West Virginia, consists of generational outliers. Deep rooted in culture and community, with tribal loyalty in their bones, they synergistically lived together, the scholars, musicians, entrepreneurs and railroad workers, repeated but one heartbeat. Daily many crossed one of the main arteries of the community, the Historical Grant Street Bridge. CLOSED-June 2019) Due to years of inconsistent maintenance soon following, a complete removal of the bridge was secured. That was the final nail in the coffin. Community members were forced to use inconvenient and dangerous routes to get “HOME”. As frustration escalated into fury or feelings of helplessness, they new the eventual consequences, the ERASING of their history and their beloved community. Facing a clear case of environmental and racial injustice(s), this African American Appalachian (AFFROLACHIA) community rallied together and received funding from Governor Jim Justice. Environmental equity, historical acknowledgement and health justice were basic rights and they believed with the replacement bridge opportunities for future development were at hand.
“But when dem Negros gotz upset dey wuz conjuring up dat love fo dey PLACES. All dem memories was ‘bout to be gone. Some got ta slanging da Sweet Blood o’ Jesus and some even got dat ole slave hoodoo dust, ya know. I couldn’t tell who wiz Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Jesuz, Black Panther Party, SNCC, Booker T Washington, Robert Williams or Dr. Ben!! 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. Leaning back in her worn rocker, Ms. Brown sipped some ‘shine from her cup, then, with a slight head nod and another wink, “yeah, dat bridge,” she paused and leaned forward, “it comin”. She laughed louder, “It comin, cause somebody done gone and mad dem Negros real upset.”
Storyteller: Blu James
