Rural voices matter. Our commentary page offers insight, analysis, and perspectives on the issues shaping rural communities — from agriculture to education, policy to culture. Join the conversation.
Commentary: Philanthropies Need to Invest and Build Roots in Rural America
“If philanthropy wants rural insight at the table, it needs to make space at the table through remote work policies, satellite offices, and a commitment to hiring rural talent.”
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Commentary: Rural Voters Have a Move. It’s Time to Make It.
Rural America can pressure Republicans to defect.
Commentary: America Has Gotten Trade Backward for Decades
NAFTA and other big deals with big trading partners hammer many farms — small deals with many trading partners could save them.
Commentary: HPV Cancer Rates Are Higher in Appalachia. Wish I Had Known.
Cancer cost me almost everything. It didn’t have to be like this.
Commentary: An Exhibit of Queer and Evangelical Appalachian Art Speaks to Our Political Moment
“The Place Speaks” at the East Tennessee State University’s Reece Museum opens a dialogue across America’s cultural divide.
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Commentary: New Federal Law Encourages Coal Mining That Isn’t Subject to Tax That Supports Black Lung Programs
The black lung trust fund, which kicks in to pay black lung benefits when a coal company can’t, is funded by an excise tax only on coal sold within the United States. The majority of met coal is exported overseas. Revenue from exported coal doesn’t go in to support the trust fund, but those miners are just as likely to get black lung as any other coal miner is.
Commentary: On Whitewashing History
Trump’s administration attempts to hide and erase parts of American history related to slavery and systemic oppression will lead to a stunted nation that cannot grow.
Commentary: Living in the Shadow of the American Dream
A father’s reflections on the quiet, unseen struggles of working families today.
Commentary: Food Near Me – The Ironic Tragedy of Rural Food Deserts
Food deserts not only affect cities. Our disappearing farms mean they affect rural areas with plenty of land to grow food.
Commentary: Learning to Reckon with History
On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, we’re still stubbornly in denial about our youth’s sins.
Commentary: The Tragedy of the Commons – From Overgrazing Pastures to Exhausting Our Reservoirs of Hope and Trust
“The explanation for why Appalachian mountaineers vote as they do presently has to do with our society having grazed trust and hope down to stubble after decades of promised help.”
Commentary: Veterans Shouldn’t Have to Be Broke to Get Paid
America is inching toward means-testing for disabled veterans benefits. We shouldn’t treat our honorably discharged military personnel like beggars.
Review: The Personal and National Tragedy of American Indian Boarding Schools
Mary Annette Pember’s new book, “Medicine River,” demonstrates that there is no line between family history and the national tragedy of American Indians’ forced assimilation.
Commentary: Rural Americans Need the Trump Administration to Provide an Additional Path to Fight Obesity
By expanding and providing federal coverage of obesity medications and other proven treatments, Trump’s administration would make a first, crucial step in helping stem obesity, hurting millions in America.
Commentary: If Democracy Collapses in America, It Won’t Be the First Time
Anti-democratic efforts are not new in America. We don’t have to import history lessons from abroad to learn of dangers and atrocities a successful collapse of democracy can bring.
Commentary: Words Must Match the Actions
When messaging misses the mark, even the best policies can get buried, overlooked, and weaponized by the other side.
Commentary: Rural Libraries and Museums Are What’s Exceptionally American
In its latest attempt at alleged fiscal responsibility, the Trump administration is taking away funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services – a federal agency supporting many rural libraries and small museums.
Commentary: Appalachian Workers Are Still Paying the Price for Bosses’ Greed
Our grandparents fought for decent wages, safe working conditions, and dignity. How long will we let the new crop of industrialists take away those hard-won rights?
Commentary: Who’s Afraid of DEI? – How the Assault on Diversity Harms Rural Places
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs serve much more diverse areas of rural life than heated culture war debates would have you believe. Rural community development is among them.
Commentary: Rural Housing – Challenges and Solutions
In many cases, the key to housing problems in rural communities could be the already existing stock. Strategies on how to tap into that resource is often the missing puzzle piece to a solution.
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