Why We Turn Our Thoughts to Martin Luther King Jr.
A Lesson Plan that considers the reasons By Michael M. Barrick “Let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King / and recognize that there are ties between us, […]
Category Archives: history
Preserving the Beauty and Heritage of Western North Carolina
A handful of souls gathering in homes 25 years ago led to the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina that has protected nearly 60,000 acres in Western North Carolina By Michael […]
Charlotte’s Troubling Reality
Drunk, white, entitled woman symbolizes the city hosting the GOP’s convention in 2020 CHARLOTTE, N.C. – So, a drunk, white entitled woman in Myers Park confronted two black women because […]
Wheeler’s Book a Colorful Appalachian Narrative
Many stories, but one theme – relationships are everything LENOIR, N.C. – Recently, as I wrote, I had the opportunity to hear Billy Edd Wheeler of Swannanoa, N.C. tell one […]
Sweet Serendipity
Up close and personal with Appalachian legends Note: This is the seventh installment from “The Hillbilly Highway, Volume 2: Seeds, Songs and Streams.” Learn more here. By Michael M. Barrick BLACK MOUNTAIN, […]
Music along the Hillbilly Highway is ‘Handmade & Heartfelt’
Kay and Patrick Crouch have taught and inspired thousands of students and others in the region; they are also premier promoters of the music of Caldwell County and Southern Appalachia […]
Towering Mountains and Church Steeples along the Hillbilly Highway
The Grandfather of mountains affords mile-high stunning views Note: This is the second installment from “The Hillbilly Highway, Volume 2: Seeds, Songs and Streams.” Learn more here. By Michael M. Barrick FOSCOE, […]
A Question for White Racists
What crimes are written on your skin? By Michael M. Barrick The Rev. William Apess, an ordained Methodist minister and Native American (he was part Pequot), put in writing the […]
Our Way of Life
“Our way of life” requires a war machine says the president. He is not the first to say so; “The Donald” is just more blunt. Despite the feigned consternation of […]
Memorial Day Not about Celebrating War, but Ending it
We honor those who gave ‘the last full measure of devotion’ by working for peace By Michael M. Barrick It was May 1950, about five years since Morgantown, W.Va. native […]
