Poorest Region of America - What It Really Looks Like 🇺🇸

Thanks for coming along on this Appalachian journey! This is the start of a 8-part series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyPgwIPkHo5If6xyrkr-s2… ► Map on the economic wellbeing of counties in Appalachia: www.arc.gov/map/county-economic-status-in-appalach… ► 🎥 More Behind the Scenes Videos: petersantenello.com/ ► 📝 My Free Weekly Newsletter: www.bit.ly/3HC36EH ► 👕 Merch: innercircle.petersantenello.com/collections/all

What's even more sad, is that closed walmart came in, killed off all the mom and pop grocers that had probably been around for a century, then realized they'd overestimated and closed it down, leaving a massive, brutalist brick store to decay in the beautiful woodlands. Walmart and large grocery chains are convenient, but they're also tragic.

Those youngsters at the end of the video were amazing kids. 18 year old diesel mechanic, 16 year old dairy queen manager, and the other youngster knew everything about history. That's what I like to see

"We work hard. We support our families, and we don't let nobody step in between that." RESPECT

I'm from Jamaica and parts of this look like deep rural Jamaica. It's really beautiful to see how similar we all really are at the end of the day.❤ Thank you for this opportunity to see this.

I’m 18 and I live in one of the counties shown in this video. I’ve never seen anyone cover us like this, and the fact it’s got 8 million views in just 5 days is blowing my mind. Thanks for bringing light to us, it really feels like the rest of the world has forgotten we exist. It’s a rough way but I don’t plan on moving off. These mountains are my home.

I was an international student from Ethiopia when I first came to the Appalachians as part of our senior retreat . I went to a very expensive high school in Chicago and at first our teachers were warning us how we may receive racist comments from the locals . First, I’d like to say how welcoming they were to me. Secondly I never thought poverty at this level existed in America . We stayed there and built them a house and everything they needed. That was an eye-opening experience and I would do it again ! I hope every American visit the Appalachians ! America is NOT only New York or California !! ❤️❤️❤️

Those boys at the end were so humble, smart and kind. I wish them all the best

wow. my comment will probably get lost but we NEED more content like this, information straight from the locals. im a researcher myself, specifically in communication/sociology, and in my opinion there is nothing more insightful and valuable than hearing the lived experiences of the people you have questions about. statistics, graphs, and numbers can only tell us so much, it can never tell us what these people are feeling or going through on the daily. well done with this video.

My favorite part was when you talked to the boys who were fishing under the bridge. They challenge our preconceived notions of what kind of kids we’ve been led to believe they might be. Four hard-working, straight edge boys, including a diesel mechanic, a manager, and an eloquent and intelligent kid with a full ride to college. Humbled me.

As a Kentuckian I can not express how happy I am that you are visiting these places and giving these folks a voice. You are humble and open minded and this kind of journalism (or whatever you want to call it) is desperately needed on the internet today. Thank you for your work- you can be assured that you def aren't part of the social media problem you talked about :)

My man talking about Roman battles while smoking, like he was just there and now telling the story — you’re something special!! Keep following those passions!!

I don't know why the algorithm recommended this video, but I watched the whole thing and really enjoyed it. Thank you for making these, it's really cool to see a slice of life from what feels like a different world!

Apart from the obvious problems this region is facing, the actual landscape looks like a great environment to live in. Small towns, a few houses surrounded by forest, no big crowds, generally kind people, nature taking old buildings back over. Such a fascinating atmosphere, I hope things get better for the people there.

In my opinion this is the type of stuff that should be on Netflix. So respectful, empathetic, considerate, sincere. If documentaries like this were widespread and mainstream, things would change. Seriously.

I really enjoyed this video. I grew up in McDowell County and your segment on Welch and the old Welch High School really hit home. I was one of those kids talking and laughing in those hallways. I can remember when this town was bumper to bumper and crowded. Thank You for your approach and mannerism.

What a collection of wholesome people. The two old guys at the bus stop were my highlight, you can tell those guys have been friends for a lifetime.

I lived very briefly in Ripley West Virginia, when i was 19. My boyfriend, his friend and myself went for a ride in the hills. The truck we were in broke down as it was getting dark, so we started walking. We we're stuck and walking in the dark in the deep country. We came across a house with an elderly husband and wife, who didn't even have a bathroom, they had an out house, but they were the nicest people in the world. They invited us into their home, offerd us coffe and they helped us. They had a bigger truck and they were able to tow us out of there the country way, and get us home. We gave them ehat money we had. Im 51 years old now, and ill never forget that nice couple.

As a Northern European, I'm kinda fascinated with how "green and lush" this landscape is. It's like someone plopped down an American town in the middle of a rain forest or something.

It's so interesting how you find the most kindness and generosity amongst the poor. Money isn't everything