I hate Appalachia and all those bare-foot banjo-picking hillbillies. The men run around shooting at animals or each other (whichever they see first), spitting tobacco into cans and jugs, and impregnating their sister-aunts. The women run around pregnant, crap out babies in the outhouses, and cook rabbit stew all while blowing across the tops of old whiskey jugs and clog dancing.
Figure 1: The Modern Hillbilly Family
Alright, seriously, if you haven’t figured it out the above paragraph was simply a spoof of ignorant people from wannabe cities. In a world full of racial (and cultural) stereotypes people from Appalachia (or Appalachian Americans) are often overlooked. Why? Because they are white. One of the great privileges that comes along with being white is that you are the target of hatred from hundreds of millions of people simply because you share skin color with some terrible people (but racism is for another blog). But Appalachians can, and usually do, differ greatly from standard “white” culture. Nevertheless, the stereotypes and slanted generalizations they are subject to are seen as acceptable simply because they are not a recognized minority. But I would argue that Appalachians are a distinct cultural group who have experienced oppression and marginalization similar to that endured by racial and ethnic minorities such as the African, Native and Mexican Americans. Now, I know I’m going to take a lot of flak for that one, but here’s a little Appalachian History to help support my opinion.
In terms of modern Appalachian culture the obvious place to begin is the late 1800s, a time when large-scale extractive logging and coal mining by English-owned companies left little behind for them but poverty, convalescing clear cuts, and strip-mined landscapes. In the early days of mining, the companies did not pay miners in cash, but in a private currency known as “scrip.” Scrip could only be used at the company store which usually priced food and supplies at least fifty percent higher than that of private stores. The mines also owned all the surrounding land and houses, which allowed them to charge miners exorbitant rental rates. Any dissent, such as union strikes or pickets, was immediately quashed. Coal companies hired thugs to intimidate both miners and outsiders who might bring attention to exploitation that bordered on slavery. Union members’ houses were raided by dozens of machine-gun-carrying deputies and the miners were beaten and murdered. Trucks carrying food to starving miners were blown up, relief workers were arrested on false charges, and reporters were beaten and forced to leave town. For centuries politicians displayed prejudice towards Appalachians, making comments like “[They are] the lowest scum and rabble…” “the vilest tricking and cheating… people into whose heads no means can beat the notion of a public interest or persuade to live like men,” and “the laziest two legged animals that walk erect on the face of the Earth. Even their motions are slow, and their speech a sickening drawl… a natural stupidity or dullness of intellect that almost surpasses belief,” (Heilman, 2004).
Although Appalachians are considered ‘white Americans,’ such statements reek of racist social Darwinism. The centuries-old stereotype that anyone with an Appalachian accent possesses a “natural stupidity,” is still perpetuated by the media. Television shows like “Beverly Hillbillies”, “Green Acres,” and “Hee Haw” have been described as the most intensive effort ever exerted by a nation to belittle, demean and otherwise destroy a minority people within its boundaries. Appalachians are statistically one of the most exploited and marginalized groups in America. Appalachia is like a third-world country where those who control local government end up with all of the wealth and see to it that those with no power are segregated, marginalized, and ignored. Its social institutions just don’t work and democracy doesn’t have a chance.
Many would argue that such disparities are class and geographical issues, rather than a result of minority discrimination. However, not only do Appalachians come from historically marginalized ethnic groups, but they are also part of a markedly different culture than the ‘average’ American. They have their own music, history, art, tradition, literature, dialect, religious beliefs, and ideas of ecology, justice, education and health. Appalachians in general experience unique and different ways of life than most Americans.
Appalachian generalizations are rampant throughout the country, but they are particularly bad in their home states. Take Kentucky for example. Here, we have two “real cities” in the whole state and a few large towns. I put “cities” in quotations because Lexington and Louisville are not cities. They’re like the Chihuahuas who think they are big dogs but are in fact tiny little girly rats who yelp too much. People in these cities suffer the consequences of being slapped with the Hillbilly stereotype because they live in Kentucky. As a result, they lash out at those of us who are actually from Appalachia in an attempt to distance themselves from us and help to further perpetuate these stereotypes. If you asked someone from Louisville what a couple guys from eastern Kentucky look like they would hand you this:
Figure 2: Louisville Artist Rendering of Appalachian Men
But here are the facts folks: Appalachian Americans are among the most educated and well-cultured people in the country. They’ve suffered so long from the “dumb and ignorant” stereotype that the community focus has shifted to fighting this terrible typecast. Children are encouraged to be involved in every extra-curricular activity they can possibly fit in and are often shunned when they are not a part of something. They’re academic teams rival and often destroy those from urban areas in the state. My high school Forensics (Speech) Team (from a school with less than 600 people) not only demolished everyone at state, but we went on to win at Nationals (three years in a row). Standardized test scores are at an all-time high and students are strongly encouraged to attend the best University they can possibly get in to/afford.
I’ve been working on this for over two days now and I’m getting tired of it so here’s what I’m basically saying: Appalachians are a completely different culture and as such should not be considered to be part of the mainstream “White American” culture. They deserve as much respect and equality as any other minority group and everyone should do their part to help rid the country of the “Hillbilly” stereotype. The end.
