Robeson Rises

Located in southeastern North Carolina, Robeson County is home to the largest indigenous population east of the Mississippi and is one the poorest and most diverse rural counties in the country. Robeson County is also the planned terminus of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). If built, the ACP would lock the community into a fossil fuel-dependent future that threatens the already-fragile air, water, land, and livelihoods of local residents. "Robeson Rises" chronicles the efforts of Robeson County residents — Native, Black, brown, and white — uniting against the pipeline and advocating for a renewable future.

Director’s Statement

When Appalachian Voices approached me about working on "Robeson Rises," I had never heard of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. As I looked into it, I found a plethora of highly produced videos from energy companies touting the benefits of building a gas pipeline through my home state of North Carolina. Conversely, there was very little to be found about how many of the people most affected by the proposed pipeline are fighting to stop its construction.

Among the most disproportionately affected groups is North Carolina’s Native American population. This is in part what drew us to Robeson County, in which more Native Americans have made their home than any other county in the state. However, what we found there was a unique and diverse community of people united in their efforts not only to halt the pipeline, but to do so in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s devastating effects on the area. "Robeson Rises" is meant to tell the story of this community, to amplify their voice through film, and to bring more attention to an important issue that many people may not be aware of.

Commenting on the conflict between propaganda and art, the 20th century theorist Marshall McLuhan wrote, “Propaganda is environmental and invisible. It blankets perception and suppresses awareness, making the counter environments created by the artist indispensable to survival and freedom.”

"Robeson Rises" is thus a film meant to create a counter environment in which all of us — but especially the Native Americans and African Americans most affected — can be free to resist the propaganda behind the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and to advocate for a more sustainable future.

— Michael Pogoloff

Select Credits

Directed by Michael Pogoloff. Produced by Bradley Bethel. Edited by Teddy Leinbach. Cinematography by Ned Phillips.

This film was made possible by Appalachian Voices, Working Films, The Fledgling Fund, and generous donations from Jan Halle and Sophie Suberman. Special thanks to EcoRobeson, whose members continue to inspire us.