Hope Amidst Abandonment
, the West Virginia Coal Festival teen beauty pageant winner, explores the abandoned coal town, expressing a sense of hope for the coal industry's future in her state.
Johnson's optimism is reflected in her activities, such as collecting railroad spikes and envisioning the revival of the coal industry, underscoring a deep-rooted appreciation for the labor that defined West Virginia.
Diverging Perspectives on Coal's Revival
's recent executive orders aiming to revive the coal industry have sparked enthusiasm among West Virginians like Johnson, who feel the industry is misunderstood and underappreciated.
Critics argue that Trump's policies cannot reverse the market forces that have shifted away from coal, suggesting that real solutions lie in adapting to these changes rather than promising a return to the past.