Appalachia. Think of the first thing that comes to mind when you read that word. It was probably something along the lines of rednecks, mountains, country, hillbillies, etc. Most of the stereotypes that Appalachia has are negative. Appalachians have long been looked down upon, made fun of, and dehumanized based on the stereotype of being “uneducated,” “backwards,” or just down right “ignorant” (Mullins). This is Appalachia’s single story. A single story is the thing that people characterize certain people, groups, or areas by. A single story creates stereotypes; they make one story the only story. As Adichie said in “The Danger of a Single Story,” the consequence of a single story is that it robs people of their dignity and highlights how people are different rather than how they are similar. Adichie’s roommate had a single story of Africans as not knowing English, how to use a stove, or that she only listened tribal music when it was really Mariah Carey that she listened to and English was her first language. She proved that her roommate’s single story of her was wrong and inaccurate and that all Africans do not fit that stereotype or single story.
Appalachia is the area of land surrounding the Appalachian Mountains stretching from southern New York down to northern Alabama. “True Appalachia” is typically defined as the areas of eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, southwest Virginia, and northeast Tennessee. It is said that “Appalachia is a region whose geographical boundaries exist not because of any legal boundaries, but because of the shared history, culture, and environment of mountain people in eastern North America” ("What Is Appalachia?"). The area was first inhabited by the Cherokee then the colonists took over. Coal is one of the biggest industries in the area and much of the Appalachian people’s lives revolve around the coal industry. Many people use coal to define the Appalachians. They have used it to make the region and its people appear “backwards,” “violent,” and “dispensable,” ("What Is Appalachia?"). The coal industry has provided thousands of jobs for people throughout many decades and has provided the nation with an important resource. Yes, many workers dedicate their lives to coalmining but it should not give them a bad reputation. It shows that they are willing to risk their lives every day in a harsh environment to be able to provide for their families. The reputation to Appalachians, and what should be to other people, should be one of bravery and self-sacrifice. People think that everyone who lives here are “hicks” that live in cabins in the woods and play banjos and carry around shotguns. That might be true, but people associate that with a negative view and give it a negative meaning, when in reality, there is nothing wrong with that at all.
The Appalachian life is a simple way of life. The people here started from nothing and have come such a long way. The spirit of Appalachia is one of overcoming hardships and being proud of who you are. It is wholeheartedly embracing where you come from and how you were raised and cherishing everyone and everything in your life. A big part of the Appalachian life is that everyone, no matter who you are or where you came from, is family. Family is the most important thing in Appalachia. Families often stay very close to each other, sometimes they even live on the same land or pass their land down to other generations. Appalachia, to me, is the epitome of southern hospitality. Everyone welcomes people into their homes and accepts them as their own. This brings back in the idea that everyone is family. Even if someone is struggling physically, mentally, financially, etc, they will drop everything to give to other people in need and lend a helping hand to others. That is such a powerful thing here because it is a sense of mutual respect between everyone.
I am from Abingdon, Virginia, a town in the heart of Appalachia and I could not be more proud of where I am from. The Appalachian culture is so important to me because it is so raw and genuine. Appalachia is home to mostly small towns. They are all very close-knit communities who value and cherish everyone. As previously stated, everyone is family. Small towns create a sense of community that would not exist otherwise. Everyone enjoys having backyard cookouts with their neighbors, going to the farmer’s markets, listening to local bands, and going hiking with their friends in the mountains. People embrace all of the small, historic towns and would not want them to be any different. Abingdon is full of Civil War history and landmarks. People are proud of the town and want to preserve the history as much as possible. Heritage and history is so important in the area that people went crazy when a Wal-Mart was built and building a sports complex was proposed. People are so proud of the town that they are afraid of it becoming industrialized and the historical value being decreased. Small towns are full of family owned business that make you feel like you’re the most important customer, you always see someone you know at the grocery store and start a conversation, everyone waves at you when you pass them on the road, and everyone is full of love and joy. These are all things that people do not realize when they hear the term “Appalachia.”
Yes, people love deer hunting, but it is usually so they can provide food for their families. Yes, lots of people do not go to college, but it is because they are working for their family’s business or their job does not require a degree. Yes, some people might be “backwards,” but you don't know why they are the way they are or what has happened in their life. Yes, people have huge diesel trucks and wear a lot of camo, but hey, at least they are passionate about something. Appalachia is old-fashioned and full of rich traditions rather than a bunch of “hicks.” the cliche quote, "Don't judge a book by its cover" embodies Appalachia.Sometimes it is very demeaning and disheartening when people have never heard of your hometown, much less do not know where “southwest Virginia” is, or think everyone are uneducated, ignorant hillbillies, but I am proud of where I am from and would not have wanted to be raised in any other area.
Mullins, Nick. "Ignorance – Fighting the Appalachian Stereotype." The Thoughtful Coal Miner. Wordpress, 26 June 2013.Web. 05 Oct. 2016.
"Stereotypes of Appalachia." Eastern Kentucky Region. Wordpress, 08 Dec. 2011. Web. 05 Oct. 2016.
"What Is Appalachia?" The Alliance for Appalachia. WordPress, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2016.