Nathaniel Breier
ERH-3-3WX-01
Essay Prompt 7
Word Count: 266

The region of Appalachia is commonly presented as a backward land full of what could only be described as lesser peoples, not quite up to the standards of the rest of the country. Whether that is a cause for potential, as described in the articles of Harney and Frost, or as threats as in the movie Deliverance, the description is still the same. However, as can be gleaned from other chapters and articles, this stereotype of Appalachians is quite the opposite of the truth. In Montgomery’s article about the language of the Appalachia, he disproves the ideas of Harney and Frost that the people of Appalachia represent some earlier version of the people in the rest of the country in terms of language at least.
And as described in Kincheloe’s and Steinberg’s articles, the region is still affected by big name brands such as McDonald’s and Barbie respectively and in much the same way as the rest of the country. This includes the marketing schemes that the brands utilize, such as exploiting the divide between older and younger generations, as in Kincheloe’s article.
Lastly, as discussed in Appalachia: A History, how these stereotypes came to be is shown, as well as support for the above points. These stereotypes have existed since before the Civil War, but would have been good fodder for the opposing armies that occupied the region at the time. Additionally, later in the region’s history, the stereotype reflects the desire of the various business interests in the region to exploit it for such items as coal and timber without regard for its natives.