Chronicle: "I think the American dream has died"

That may sound harsh.

But he will not be able to get a life close to his father or grandfather, who worked in the mine with a good salary.  

The battle came in April last year. 

- I drove to work as usual, 54 minutes from door to door.

Once there, the boss said I was fired.

The mine will be closed.

Just like that, after 13 years of work. 

Since then he has been unemployed.

He lives in a state where there is a shortage of jobs.

He and his wife have two small children.

Jordan has not studied in college, and now he can not afford to study.

The house must be paid for and the children supported.

The local vocational high school offered short courses and now he has just trained as a truck driver.

But that makes him desperate.  

- The schedule, do you know what it looks like?

Ten days away, two days at home, ten days away again.

Longing to return

I'm trying to say that maybe it's still good that he did not continue in the coal industry.

Many have stiff neck surgery, hands with broken fingers, cuts and injuries.

It is a dangerous and tiring job.

But Jordan longs to return.   

- Miners are incredibly intelligent people.

If you knew how much they can, how many different situations we learn to solve. 

It is a culture of male community that has been inherited for generations.

That's his whole identity.

His grandfather is the great role model who prepared Jordan for a life in the mine since he could barely walk.   

- You would hear when he swears, Jordan says delighted. 

I used to make a fuss when I was little just to hear him swear, these are absolutely fantastic swear words ”.

"Must support my family"

Unfortunately, we never get to see his grandfather, who does not want to meet strangers.

But Jordan shows us Grandpa's old mining helmet, which he holds in a tender grip.

"Be careful Buddy" is written in large letters.  

Now Jordan is torn away from both family and co-workers for a lonely life as a truck driver.  

- Try to move on Jordan.

You are so smart.

You have a lot to give.

You could be a wonderful teacher, I say a little awkwardly.

He looks at me and answers:

- This job is not my career choice.

But I have to solve my situation.

I have to support my family.

But I will make sure that my children have a better life, with jobs where they can use their brains.