Description
Appalachian Italian Anarchists–The Original Rednecks
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.
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 18.00 | 20.00 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 28.00 |
| Length, in | 28.00 | 29.00 | 30.00 | 31.00 | 32.00 | 33.00 |
| Sleeve length from center back, in | 15.62 | 17.37 | 18.75 | 20.00 | 21.50 | 22.87 |
This unisex ultra cotton tee is a classic. Quality cotton construction means that designs are sure to shine. The shoulders are tapped for a good upper-body fit. There are no side seams, ensuring a clean, unbroken flow. The collar has ribbed knitting for improved elasticity. The materials that went into this product are sustainably sourced and economically friendly.
.: 100% Cotton (fiber content may vary for different colors)
.: Medium fabric (6.0 oz/yd² (203 g/m²))
.: Classic fit
.: Tear-away label
.: Runs bigger than usual
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