Friday, December 10 at 9 p.m. – Buffalo's Voice of Steel
(Rochester, NY) – Former steelworkers from Western New York were key players in a dynamic era of a booming blue-collar community. By sharing their memories in Buffalo’s Voices of Steel, they honor the contributions of all who labored for the industrial giants that drove the mid- to late-20th century American economy. Airing Friday, December 10 at 9 p.m. on WXXI - TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11), this thoughtful documentary is both history and oral history, featuring personal, often poignant recollections while documenting a culture that could have thrived in any “Steeltown, USA.”
The film presents the pros and cons of a defining time and place ― from the dangerous yet desirable job of making steel, to issues of workers’ rights, racial discrimination, and upward mobility. It also considers the broader connections: among the workers; between the plants and the neighborhoods; and within the hearts of those left behind when the industry collapsed.
Buffalo’s Voices of Steel tells how an industry helped to forge “The American Dream.” Well-paying jobs offered middle-class prosperity and opportunity for steelworkers and their families — a house and a car, summer vacations, and college educations for the next generation.
Ultimately, the film is about people and communities ― and a legacy of friendship and camaraderie forged by hard work and common bonds.
Credit: WNED.org
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