Appalachian Italian Anarchists–The Original Rednecks Ceramic Mug 11oz

Description

Appalachian Italian Anarchists–The Original Rednecks Ceramic Mug 

It is widely accepted that redneck, in its current usage, originates from the red bandanas worn by striking Appalachian miners.  Many date this usage to the march to Matewan and the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921.  However newspapers were already referring to militant miners as rednecks during the Paint and Cabin Creek strike of 1912-1913.  These miners were in turn supported with supplies and men by the predominately Italian miners of Boomer West Virginia who had staged their own rebellion a few years earlier.

After the banking panic of 1907, mine operators declared that miners would now be paid on the“long ton”–mining 2240 lbs of coal for the same pay that they had been mining the short ton or 2000 lbs.  District 17 went on strike in 1909, but concerned that owners would use the strike to justify mass layoffs, the union abandoned the strike in a matter of days and miners went back to work. The Italian miners of Boomer had other ideas.  

A group of Italian miners took over the mines around Boomer and, successfully prevented the implementation of the long ton as well as the use of Baldwin Felts agents.  They threw up earthen forts and barricades, raised a red and black flag with gold letters proclaiming “Victory or Death”, blocked entry to the mines as well as the railroad tracks. Then they took over the blacksmith shop and the town. Although the accused leaders were eventually arrested, one of them being a young fourteen year old Sam Yaquinta (aka Yockaway), they were eventually released and the long ton was never implemented in the mines around Boomer.

In 1912, these same Italian miners would ally with local socialists, using their organizational skills and experience with armed resistance to provide weapons and manpower to the miners of Paint and Cabin Creek who were striking, in part, to achieve these same goals.

For more information, see our page on the history of rednecks.

Warm-up with a nice cuppa out of this customized ceramic coffee mug. Personalize it with cool designs, photos or logos to make that “aaahhh!” moment even better. It’s BPA and Lead-free, microwave & dishwasher-safe, and made of white, durable ceramic in an 11-ounce size. Thanks to the advanced printing tech, your designs come to life with incredibly vivid colors – the perfect gift for coffee, tea, and chocolate lovers.

.: White ceramic
.: 11 oz (0.33 l)
.: Rounded corners
.: C-handle
.: Lead and BPA-free