One of the topics that is discussed in APP Chapter 4 is the role of music in labor struggles. For this writing prompt, I’d like you to discuss the role music played in the labor struggles in Appalachia in this time period. In what ways do we see music play a significant role in later struggles in the U.S.? Why do you think music plays such an important role in this kind of work?

The music that the migrants listened to helped to erase the memories of the time when their lives were hard, and finding jobs was even harder. The music created a positive view for these areas that were once so hard to live in. Gave the mountains a sentimental value of living in the manner that mod 20th century mountaineers would live.  The play Appalachian Spring allowed for old hymns and folk songs to resurface. The idea of music allowed for people to rediscover the area where the lived. It was sort of a revival of the life of the Appalachian mountains.