They’ll Never Keep Us Down

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Buddy Dickens about his aunt Hazel Dickens and her impact on labor music and workers' rights.

This week on Labor History Today: Hazel Dickens remembered. The Mine Wars Forum talks with Hazel’s nephew Buddy Dickens about the legendary labor singer’s deep roots in the West Virginia coalfields, her fierce commitment to miners and working people, and why her music still resonates today. From picket lines and black lung fights to the new Fly Away Home festival honoring her legacy, Buddy shares personal stories about one of labor’s most beloved voices. Plus: Labor History in 2:00 on the 1946 coal strike and the first Chicago Teachers Union strike; new stories from the People’s 250 campaign about steelworkers, civil rights, and shop-floor struggles; and reflections on labor memory, justice, and organizing from Appalachia to Baltimore. Questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at LaborHistoryToday@gmail.com Labor History Today is produced by the Labor Heritage Foundation and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. #LaborRadioPod #History #WorkingClass #ClassStruggle @GeorgetownKILWP #LaborHistory @UMDMLA @ILLaborHistory @AFLCIO @StrikeHistory #LaborHistory @wrkclasshistory

People in this episode

Guest: Buddy Dickens

Topics covered

• labor history
• music and labor
• coal mining
• workers' rights
• labor memory
• civil rights
• organizing

Keywords

• Hazel Dickens
• labor singer
• coalfields
• miners
• labor history
• picket lines
• black lung
• Chicago Teachers Union
• steelworkers
• civil rights

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labor Heritage Foundation, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor

Places: West Virginia, Appalachia, Baltimore

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