Mohan M.

What we bring:
I was born in India, got my degree, moved to Kansas in 1962, and worked there until 1981. Since then, we have lived for 0ver 3 decades in Texas and then in West Virginia. We bring a sense of openness and the ability to absorb different lifestyles while keeping our core cultural values. We have experienced the decline of regionalism as people find a deeper identity with humanity. 

Perceptions of Appalachia:
We see it as a geographically isolated place where some of its original cultures still linger. It has a charm of its own. Meanwhile, global changes have brought people closer and interdependent. 

The question of change:
The Appalachian region can be a great refuge, but it can also struggle to fit into a fast-changing new global reality. To change or not to change becomes the essential question. Change has already affected the whole planet. Everyone living in Appalachia carries a phone or have access to a smart TV. They find themselves a part of a new reality. 

Culture, permenance and self perveption:
It is self-evident that people of different cultures immigrated to Appalachia, and their joint activities contributed to a new way of life. It is also evident that anything we start must go through evolutional change. The very act of being born as a child is an entry point to infinite changes that follow. Birth also implies death. This cyclical nature of reality is well understood in the east, especially India, where I was born.

About negative / positive stereotypes:
The larger culture of the United States seems to measure success by transactional value. That usually means the ability to produce value (money), transact value, and then store that value. Doing honest work and keeping ethical standards may or may not create exchangeable value because others are focused on keeping it for themselves. Simple, hard-working people can easily get betrayed. Arab kings ruled India for 800 years, and then the British did the same for 200 years. Through 1,000 years of suppression, the people of India know what that means.

How can this be changed?
Mahatma Gandhi reaffirmed the greatness of India and her culture while affirming the good qualities of the British. As a result, the two countries became independent of each other and found greater self-respect. A change of philosophy may be needed. That could mean reexamining our sense of self-worth. One way is to give up the notion that we need to be number one, unwittingly pushing another down to that level. Identifying and expanding on our unique strengths is the best way. Like any athlete, there is no need to look at another one's performance. All we have to beat is our previous record.

Patricia T.

I am a poet and writer living in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in Northern Appalachia. My poetry can be considered part of the canon of Northern Appalachian literature. I also serve on the board of an inclusive literary magazine, The Watershed Journal, which features the storytelling of our region. 

“Appalachia” is a broad, diverse region that cannot be capture in simple terms. Southern, Central, and Northern Appalachia are as different from each other as they are from other regions of the country. I try to avoid making any sweeping generalizations about the region other than to say that the mountains are always beautiful. There are three “Appalachias…” Southern, Central and Northern.  Each has, in my opinion, distinct differences. Northern Appalachia has the largest number of universities, has the “Paris of Appalachia” in its region, and although there are struggles with poverty, the impact of an extraction economy, and cultural division, I don’t think Northern Appalachia has the same challenges as the segments to the south.  In addition, I believe the connection with “Appalachia” is weaker in the north.  R. is from outside of Western PA and he never thought of the region as “Appalachia.” In my view, the two southern subsegments suffer from a prejudice with roots in the “War on Poverty—“ with stereotyping and exclusion.

 In Northern Appalachia, most people do not identify themselves as “Appalachian”— perceptions and identity tend to be aligned based on other characteristics such geography (state, rural versus urban, etc), politics, economics, race and religion.  

Because I am not convinced there is one culture in Appalachia I struggle to answer the other questions. But certainly, as we’ve seen with the furor over “Hillbilly Elegy,” outside the region there is a stereotypical view of Appalachia:” white, poor, uneducated, trapped. 

Efforts such as The Watershed Journal, Writers of Northern Appalachia (WANA), and many other initiatives I can’t possibly list here, help to challenge these perceptions. I believe in the power of the written word and its performance to combat these stereotypes.  Podcasts, readings, publications, artwork—> effectively marketed and broadly supported.

As I am primarily a nature poet, I am continually inspired by the sheer beauty of Northern Appalachia: its forests, rivers, wildlife and the people who love its wildness. 

Lee A.

I am a freelance writer (former journalist and playwright) and professional astrologer (Granny Witch). I was also executive director of a non-profit arts venue for three years.

Appalachia is an underserved region of people who generally lack sufficient education and medical care. Disrespect for education continues in generation after generation of entire families, keeping high percentages of the population underemployed and unrealized, generally without hope that change is possible. Lack of proper housing is a significant problem; many people carefully invest in their cars so they have transportation to work outside the community, yet live with insufficient heat in winter and poor plumbing in their homes.

Yes, we need internal change within Appalachia regarding our culture's self-perception. So many are still "proud" to continue fighting the Civil War, even though the south lost that war 150 years ago. A roadside store in my neighborhood garishly flies flags of the Confederacy and "Trump Train" to reinforce the idea that Blacks are still not welcome here.

To challenge damaging stereotypes of Appalachia, we need more positive role models. My local community drew together to show support for "Big Tom," of Saltville, when he was a contestant on the television show "Survivor" but ultimately he was ostracized as a redneck idiot whose son was labeled stupid because the kid appeared on the show and damaged another player's food-gathering tool. Although "Big Tom" did well on the show and almost won, in the end he was nothing more than a hillbilly spoiling for a fight. That remains our image. We had a minor stir in the small Black community when the film "Hidden Figures" emerged, the NASA story of a woman whose math skills brought astronauts home. She was a teacher here before integration. But that heroine story faded quickly because it failed to reflect greatness on the largely White population here.

I live in this region primarily because the land itself inspires me, and sometimes I find good friends among the largely unappealing community. For now, I live in Marion, "Home of Mountain Dew" and home to Hungry Mother State Park -- both positive images, I think. For three years, I worked as executive director of The Lincoln Theatre, Inc., trying to build an artistic magnent in the community, with little success. As a journalist for the local newspaper, I made an effort to write clearly and concisely so that local people could fully understand the actions of their local government and understand changing laws and ordinances. Further, I invested myself in writing a weekly humor column that was popular reading, a reason to continue buying the newspaper and having a handy source of information about community function. I tried hard to be a trusted voice in my community, and achieved a few wins along the way. When a local Black minister wanted to rename a road to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I suggested the town instead name a street for a Black man who lived here and became one of the first Black teachers at the formerly all-white high school during integration. We succeeded in renaming the street in front of that formerly all-white school Dabney Drive for him. We also made progress in bringing attention to handicap accessibility at public buildings. But those wins were hard fought battles. Ultimately, I was fired both from The Lincoln Theatre, Inc. (for supporting a sustainable long-term operational plan rather than limiting the project to a local architect's bottom line); and from the newspaper when my health failed.

I hope my husband and I can move to Asheville, NC, in retirement to tap into a less backwards community. Before the pandemic, I traveled to Asheville once a week to work as an Astrology Reader in a Metaphysical Shop there and enjoyed being part of the pagan community. I feel as if Asheville has far more to offer both of us, and I already know I have work waiting there once the pandemic is under control. I expect to find writing outlets there as well.

Elizabeth T.

1. Describe your contribution/work in the Appalachian region.

I am a writer and independent researcher from Columbiana County, Ohio.  My research interests include eco-poetics, folklore, and modern mourning practices among Northern Appalachians. I have published a number of poems about my home county and am currently working on a book chapter discussing the Kent State Massacre. 

2. What is your perception of Appalachia?

Appalachia is a complex place of great beauty that has been terribly exploited by extractive industries.  I also feel it is quite misunderstood and often painted with some very broad strokes by outsiders.

3. Is change needed internally within Appalachia regarding our culture’s self-perception?

I believe that we need to develop as much self-awareness as possible.  It is very easy to internalize outsider stereotypes and sometimes I find that people lean into these stereotypes in lieu of actively developing an authentic identity.  I also believe that it helps to identify and cultivate regional identities within Appalachia – for example, people living in Northern Appalachian have a distinctly different identity than folks living in the South.  While we all face similar challenges and should unite, I believe it helps to understand the immediate needs of each specific region. 

4. 
   

   How do we challenge damaging stereotypes of Appalachia?

By contributing our voices and lending an authentic perspective within the media and within local government, among many other institutions and areas of discourse. 

5. 
   

   How does your region of Appalachia inspire you?

Columbiana County is a stunningly beautiful place with a rich history of both abolitionism and women’s rights.  This history doesn’t exactly reflect the current culture of the place but it definitely inspired me when I was growing up.  I also was lucky to grow up with some truly wonderful people and my hometown of Salem, Ohio has a very strong sense of community. 

The Conversation that started the Appalachian Restoration Project 9/22/2020

Hello M.,

Please contrast your video with an interview of an Appalachian Scholar or Poet, you can find one at any University around and they actually do exist here in Appalachia. Making videos of impoverished people and labeling them “Appalachian” continues a damaging stereotype here for us that we do not need anymore.

Sincerely,

-T. Byron K.

M. 

responded by saying "Please don’t take it personally or get defensive....

other locales are not upset at the worst things going on in their cities, You shouldn’t either unless you’ve got something to hide."

Thanks, M.

and I think I can understand the perspective

of allowing us to view the “soft white underbelly"

on many levels.

I think the difference between Appalachia and San Fran

or LA is that those regions are not defined by an impoverished

caricature for decades on end and Appalachia is not only defined

in this way but has also embraced that notion internally, which is why

it remains a fatalistically lost and wounded culture.

Actually our discussion today has inspired me to produce a new

vehicle for that revisioning process for our region called the 

Appalachian Restoration Project. I somehow thought of Paul

on the road to Damascus when I considered asking you to help

me with the effort, and it may be that this is too much to ask now

too, but if you could film one positive and inspired story from the Appalachian region

each time you visit I will share it on our new pages.

Best Wishes,

-T. Byron K. 

9/22/2020

Tiffany M.

1. Describe your contribution/work in the Appalachian region. 

• Born and raised in eastern KY. I graduated from Alice Lloyd College in 2007. While there, I won the Billie and Curtis Owens award for fiction. Currently I produce articles for “Silly Linguistics” magazine, where I sometimes discuss the unique Kentucky accent. I also paint and I plan to self publish a career memoir on caregiving/behavioral health. Once COVID is over, I’d love to be involved in community art projects and local murals.

2. What is your perception of Appalachia?

-Appalachia is a sleeping giant. An educated, compassionate, and loving one. It’s disgraceful that we are often forgotten and ghosted. I long for some of the same opportunities as larger cities.

3. Is change needed internally within Appalachia regarding our culture’s self-perception?

-Desperately! It’s like telling a friend, “You deserve better!” We don’t have to accept the “Kool aid moustache-rank 50th in everything” script that’s been written for us by others.

 

4. How do we challenge damaging stereotypes of Appalachia?

-I personally love using big words to throw haters off track. I encourage education, empathy, and cool communication. Limit engagement with closed minded strangers- they are committed to misunderstanding you. Your precious time and energy are best used on other meaningful efforts toward the goal of empathy, compassion and solidarity.

5. How does your region of Appalachia inspire you?

-I have discovered a community of fellow artists! Shot out to “Weird Appalachia”! I have always seen art in the mundane. I live in a forest and nature plays a big role in my artwork. After living away for nearly a decade, I see even more opportunity to colorize and make this community vibrant. I am ,surprisingly, not a country music fan- but locals like Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers have changed that for me. For anyone doubting, look up Chris’ SNL Performance of “Midnight Train to Memphis”. Tyler will hook you with “Nose on the Grindstone” and his recent statement on social issues will have you applauding.

Welcome

 Welcome to the Appalachian Restoration Project. Please stay tuned for interviews with Authors, Artists, Musicians and Scholars from Appalachia as we begin to reclaim and redefine Appalachian identity from within. Visit the Appalachian Restoration Project page @ https://www.studioappalachia.com/appalachian-restoration-project.html and fill out the survey.