Reflective Essay:

Learning to Understand Stereotypes

ERH 303 WX-01

Date Due: 17 June 2015

Date Sub.: 17 June 2015

Paper No. 3

Help Received: None

Nathaniel Hashisaki

At the beginning of this course we were told that the class was going to be about Appalachia and how we perceive it, and a big question we would ask is why. We read about how different people from the region feel about the stereotypes that have been established. Early in the course we didn’t bring it up as much, but later it became more prevalent of a topic. The assignments and class discussions have made me realize that to understand the stereotyping people of Appalachia go through, we must have see enough and see their reactions, or we must experience it.

On the first day of class we were asked to make a list of the things we thought of with the word “Appalachia.” At the time, we made the list and we laughed about some of the things that were on the list. Here, we didn’t understand that some of these things were offensive to people of the region, we had fallen for the stereotypes, just like most people do. The first writing prompt got us to think about how upbringing affected perspectives of Appalachia, and I talked about how I thought it was isolated, but I took a pretty neutral ground (Hashisaki, Writing Prompt #1). At this point I did make a stereotype about Appalachia, saying that it was isolated, which is not the case.

The next week we saw readings about the stereotypes of “redneck” and “hillbillies,” and how people of the region found them offensive. Personally I had never thought of it that way, and the discussions made it clear that there are some lines you don’t cross. The problem we established is, who sets those lines? How can we justify what can or cannot be said? These discussions were interesting, but I still hadn’t fully wrapped my mind around how it offended people. In the writing for that week, we had to answer if we would buy products endorsing stereotypical jokes about the region. I said that I would be fine with purchasing those products, but now looking back I don’t know if I would (Hashisaki, Writing Prompt# 3).

After reading, The Kentucky Cycle, I realized how much people stereotype the region. It was crazy to me that the author wrote that play after spending a few hours in the region. When when we saw the movie, Deliverance, I understood how people were upset with the stereotypes. In our readings we saw people from the region critiquing the movie and the play, and how it affected their lives. Even though I’m not from the region, I could see how poor a portrayal it was and how angry it made people. In class we discussed the movie and the play, and the description of the people. All of us thought that it would be offensive, and we saw how the characters embodied the stereotype. It was brought up, that sometimes to understand how people feel about something, you have to be in their situation. I agree with that, because it took me a while to see how bad the stereotyping is of Appalachian people.

In the last week of class we had readings on how people tried to adapt or change because of the stereotypes that had been placed on them. We read how young people grew up in the region, left for college, and were then made fun of for being “redneck.” In this situation, some of the people tried to change their habits in order to stop being made fun of. To anyone, that is the obvious solution, but to understand the pressure they were in, we have to be in their shoes. Personally, I have never been in a situation that serious, but we’ve all been made fun of for something we had or did (Writing Prompt #10). Our reaction is the same; change.

Now, having been through most of the class, I know that there is a specific person who is defined as a redneck, and not all people from Appalachia are rednecks. At the end of the class, felt the frustration that people feel with the stereotypes because I had read, and seen so much of how it affects them. My understanding of what the region is like has changed, I don’t see it as “isolated” anymore (Writing Prompt#1). In society today, people jump to conclusions too quickly, and I think we need to step back and analyze situations. We need to understand that there are always two sides, and what one person believes, may be totally different from another. Somebody may see someone from Appalachia and think they are “backwards,” but they may see a city person who is “backwards.” I can’t say that I fully understand the stereotypes that Appalachian people deal with, but understand their frustration and I believe that their true nature is hidden by stereotyping.

Works Cited:

Hashisaki, Nathaniel. “Writing Prompt #1”

Research Paper:

The Folklore Legends Influence

ERH 303 WX-01

Date Due: 17 June 2015

Date Sub.: 17 June 2015

Paper No. 2

Help Received: Peer editing

by Joshua Bissell

Nathaniel Hashisaki

Folklore characters were a big part of America during the late 1700s and the early 1900s, but it was especially important in the Appalachian region. There were many folklore characters in Appalachia, but the most famous are the real-life characters who grew into legends. The most famous and influential characters of folklore were John Henry, Daniel Boone, and Davy Crockett who all had a great impact on the region. The folklore characters of Appalachia affected and influenced the people of Appalachia, as well as positively influencing the opinions outsiders had on them, and they were more or less able to be associated with the region by outsiders.

John Henry played a large role in influencing the people of Appalachia through his heroics working on the railroad. Henry, who was born in the mid 1800s as a slave, but got his freedom after the war and went to work as a steel driver for a railroad company (Tabler). Henry was a large man, tall and strong, so he was able to drive steel very well, which developed a reputation. When Henry beat the steam drill, and died from the event his name spread across the region as well as out of the region. However the people of the region were affected by his work, a man from their land had stood up to a steam engine and won. Ballads, songs, and stories were written in his honor, and the tunnel that gave him his fame is still in use. The people followed him and realized that the machine is not always better than man, and some took hope in that. Although the region was not industrializing fast, some found they could still do their own work well. Also because Henry was African American, the African Americans in the region sang work songs about Henry while they worked (Williams, 214-215). His heroics inspired the African American community to use his name as a means to stay focused and driven on their rough task at hand.

The frontiersman Daniel Boone affected the region with is skill on the frontier, and his ability to explore and settle further west. Boone was grew up on the frontier in North Carolina where he honed his hunting skills and became independent. At this time in the mid 1700s, frontier life was tough and Boone began helping out with wagon expeditions to various forts in the Appalachian region (Daniel Boone). He also bought some land from his father so he could raise his family, and farm, but this was never his calling. Boone and his brother began exploring the region and they discovered Kentucky, where they remained for several years. Boone then tried to settle Kentucky by bringing settlers with him, but the Indians drove them out. Boone then starting making a trail called, the Wilderness Road, which would serve as a path for settlers to travel on in order to reach further west (Billings, 24). He then established a settlement or fort, which he called Boonsboro, as well as several other settlements. Boone was busy for the next several years defending the settlements he had founded in Kentucky. Afterwards he spent the rest of his life in Missouri, hunting and exploring until his death.

Through his lifetime, Boone was able to influenced and impact the people of Appalachia, and he continued to do so after his death. The Wilderness Road was a gateway for people of the region to settle new lands and expand into Kentucky. Boone’s work allowed for people to move to places previously hard to reach. His work exploring affected the people of the region because it brought more knowledge on the region to the people. They learned about the areas that Boone explored and about his experiences, and his popularity grew. He was an inspiration for the people to explore and expand throughout the region. Long after Boone had died, people still remember him for the frontier hero that he was. He has become memorable part of Appalachian history, and like John Henry, inspired people of Appalachia to write stories about him. His influence also spread to children, both during his time and after, for many young people aspired, and aspire to be like Boone; a man who lived in the wilderness and paved the way for exploration.

Davy Crockett, another great frontiersman from Appalachia had a large impact on the region. Crocket was born in Tennessee in a family of pioneers, and thus traveled many times when he was young. He enlisted in the militia and fought the Indians, then later served with Andrew Jackson. Crockett was then elected into Congress as a Democrat, but was defeated by Jackson in the following years. After failing to be re-elected into Congress, Crocket decided to go to Texas to find land to settle (Davy Crockett). Crockett ended up going to the Alamo, and was killed when it fell. Crockett was a pivotal leader on the frontier by fighting with the Indians and keeping the frontier safe. His early career on the frontier influenced the people continue to continue to drive the Indians further west. His later career as a Congressman was not entirely successful, but it was an inspiration to the Appalachian people, because they saw one of their people become a U.S. Congressman (Davy Crockett). The people of Appalachia did not have the highest reputation from outsiders, so Crockett gave them hope for success in life outside of Appalachia. Since Crockett was killed at the Alamo, the people of Appalachia began writing stories and songs about his skill as a frontiersman. The attention that Crockett brought to the region, allowed the people a chance to improve their image.

John Henry was able to get a positive view from outsiders following the events at the Big Bend Tunnel. The ballads that arose from his actions spread through the region, and also spread out of the region. The African American community quickly learned of Henry’s heroics, and he was then portrayed in a positive light. However, some authors did doubt some of the lyrics of the song and tried to equate them to sex (Williams, 215). Even with these authors spreading some doubt about Henry, most said a person can interpret the song whoever they want to. Scholars wrote that the important thing about Henry is that he was a hard working man who gave hope to people who had jobs threatened by machines. Outsiders saw him as a person who defied the advancement of industry, and people found that inspiring.

The influence that Daniel Boone had on outsider’s opinion of him was a positive one, although it may have been exaggerated. Boone’s work in the region brought himself great fame, even to people outside of Appalachia. In Tennessee, Boone’s Trail allowed for trade and travel, which benefited people outside the region (Billings, 24). These roads also allowed people access to the state capitol, which is outside the Appalachian region. People could then use the road to be closer to the county seat, delving into the idea that Boone helped people with politics. Boone’s work on the frontier did not go un-noticed by people outside the region, because his stories made their way across the country. Children were influenced by his heroics, and found desires to try and be a frontiersman like Boone. Adults also saw his work on the frontier and they were appreciative that he was doing so much work on the frontier. People in Europe read about him, and he quickly became the ideal frontiersman (Daniel Boone). However, some of the stories of Boone were exaggerated, making him out to be more heroic than he was. With this, the opinion of him was higher than it should have been, but people still thought positively of Boone.

One of the most admired figures, Davy Crockett, certainly influenced people outside the region to view him in a positive light. From his time on the frontier, he gained the reputation of a tough man, who could lick wild animals. This appealed to people and Crockett was able to gain the respect of people outside the region. He was inspiring to the younger generation, and he was an icon of what a person of that time should be like. His work as a congressman and politician failed to gain much recognition outside of the region, but he was known for his integrity. His death at the Alamo caught the attention of the nation, and people recognized the man as a hero in the battle. This event certainly made people think of Crockett in a positive light, and also boosted his fame. Crockett, like Boone, definitely received assistance in fame because of the stories that portrayed him, but nonetheless, he was a very popular and famous man.

Association of these folklore characters to the region of Appalachia exists, but it is not a strong connection. In the case of John Henry, people don’t think of Appalachia when they hear his name. To most people there is a specific type of person that is associated with Appalachia, and John Henry does not fit that description. Even in a re-telling of his folklore, there is no mention of Appalachia, the reader can make connections between locations mentioned and Appalachia, but there is no real connection (Schlosser). Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett however are associated with the Appalachian region. Boone and Crockett were specifically mentioned as heroes and frontiersman from Appalachia (Higgs, 9). Still Boone is not heavily associated with Appalachia; he is more associated with the frontier. Crockett on the other hand is more associated with Appalachia, with the education of Appalachia, and how he is a pivotal part to its history (Jennings). While his name does appear more with the Alamo, his association with Appalachia is seen.

These three great legends of folklore played big roles in Appalachian history, and each is associated with the region on a different level than one another. Perhaps because John Henry was African American and people thought of him more as a worker, rather than a man of Appalachia. Daniel Boone also does not relate to the region as much as he should. His work was essentially entirely done within the Appalachian region, and yet that connection is not always made. Davy Crockett has the strongest connection to Appalachia of the three, and surprisingly he wasn’t in the region his whole life. He died outside of the region in a battle that helped him gain his fame, but still has a connection with Appalachia. Early portrayals of Crockett show him as a cruel, racist, bigot, which may be the reason people associate him with the region (Davy Crockett). Stereotypes have become such a big part of the view of the Appalachian region that people might think all people are “hillbillies” and have the qualities listed above. Thus, the association between a person and the Appalachian region may not always come from what they did in the region, but what their personality or character is like. If Crockett is connected to the region more because he fits the stereotype the best, then people’s associations are based on stereotyping.

Folklore in the Appalachian region was big, and the characters that grew played important roles in how the region progressed, internally, as well as how it was viewed from people outside the region. These characters were able to successfully impact the people of Appalachia and make a difference in their lives. As far as people outside the region, the characters themselves received positive support, but they were essentially unable to get their names associated with Appalachia. It was more about what they did and the image they had become, than where they were from.

Works Cited:

Billings, Dwight B. “Beyond Isolation and Homogeneity.” Back Talk from Appalachia Confronting Stereotypes. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2001. Print.

“Daniel Boone.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 17 June 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/daniel-boone>.

“Davy Crockett.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 17 June 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/davy-crockett>.

Higgs, Robert J. Appalachia Inside Out: Conflict and Change. Vol. 1. Knoxville: U of Tennessee, 1995. Print.

Jennings, Rachel. “Haunted by the Alamo: The Ghost of Davy Crockett in Appalachian Education.” Marshall University. Web. 16 June 2015. <http://www.marshall.edu/csega/files/racheljennings.pdf>.

Schlosser, S.E. ”    Heroes & Champions.” John Henry: The Steel Driving Man: From Heroes & Champions at Americanfolklore.net. Web. 16 June 2015. <http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/john_henry.html>.

Tabler, Dave. “John Henry Was Hammering – Appalachian History.” Appalachian History. 27 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 June 2015. <http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2013/12/john-henry-was-hammering.html>.

Williams, John Alexander. “Blood and Legends.” Appalachia a History. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 2002. Print.

Being from Appalachia as a young person meant growing up in a society that the general public believed was backwards. They developed habits that were stereotypical for the region, which made them a target for others. Some of these people went to work at a very young age, mostly to the coalmines. These youngsters went through a lot at a very young age, and it made them tougher as they got older, but for some that only had a limited amount of experience. Some of them tried to change their habits and become “proper” so as to fit in with the general population. Others simply accepted who they were and decided it was important to be proud of their identity. These authors found out that they were “different” when they left the region, some let others shape their opinions and others stayed true to themselves. I don’t think I ever experienced anything this extreme, I’ve never had to change the way I do something because it is wrong. Although I am half Japanese I have lived my whole life here, so I never developed anything that would make me different in terms of my race. Perhaps one thing is my personality, I tend to be quiet and reserved which after being around the same people a lot is noticeable. Coming to VMI has made me talk more, not necessarily because I got made fun of, but I can remember growing up people would make comments on how I never said anything.

Migration out of the Appalachian region differed between social classes because members of the higher social class didn’t necessarily need to move, and when they did it was to a place of high quality. Members of the lower class moved to cities that could offer them a job and a place to live. However, for these members of the lower class, the move meant little pay, tough working conditions, as well as poor living conditions. Between the races, both whites and blacks left the region seeking jobs, but in some places housing was segregated and some factories as well. Blacks then had to seek out places that they could live as well as be hired by a factory. The social factor is an obvious difference for the migration patters, as well as the racial tension that existed at this time. Also, if a family had other family in a city that could provide housing, they were likely to migrate to that city. In some cases men who served in the military fought abroad and then returned to a menial job and left to seek better pay. They moved to places based on region, but they went to Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Georgia, Atlanta, Charlotte, and more. It was chain migration linked to origin and destination. For some there was a transition, but mostly they moved immediately and then tried several destinations before settling down. A family might move to Washington, and from there move to Charlotte to settle down. Depending on class and race, some destinations were better than others.

During this time period, music in Appalachia was starting to pick up and become more popular. Coal mining was the prevalent job at this time and many miners were not happy with conditions and wages, so they protested. Musicians sang about the struggles of miners and about their protesting, as a way to help the miners. In this age the radio began to appear more and more, so with these songs of protest, word would spread quickly.

Later in the U.S. there were other struggles that became portrayed through music such as the civil rights movement. The music played was very powerful and moving, and was able to bring the people together. Soul music inspired the African-American community and gave them strength together. Music at this time also helped begin bring the races together and find more common ground.

I think music plays such a big role in this kind of work because the work is so stressful and music can ease the stress and unite people. Also music is so effective in these types of movements because so many people can enjoy it, there is no one specific target audience. Sure, one group may be the focus of the music, but it can mean something to anyone. This idea allows groups of people to come together and resolve differences to help one another.

No they mention nothing about the criticism from an Appalachian standpoint, instead he just makes criticisms of certain events in the film. He doesn’t discuss Appalachia, but he says it was filmed in Georgia and he says that the wilderness is strange, unearthly, and never reassuring. Although he doesn’t directly do it, he is hinting at the stereotypes of people of Appalachia. He really doesn’t acknowledge that the film is stereotypical in anyway, he does say the word hillbillies once. I think that this website does not acknowledge the concerns because he is too focused on writing a review. He does describe in detail some scenes and what he thinks they mean, but nothing about stereotypes. For this writer the memorable parts are the obvious ones; the rape scene, the two murder scenes, and the suicide or murder. This particular writer also chooses to discuss the characters Ed and Lewis and talk about their development throughout the movie. Writer does hint that by the end of the movie, Ed and Lewis have swapped personalities to where Ed is in charge and Lewis has become the weaker one. I think in general the parts of the movie are remembered because those are what really stand out to us. They make for memorable moments that make us think and question certain topics. I also think that the scenes with the people of Appalachia are memorable for people because it seems unnatural or odd. Not necessarily that people agree with the stereotypes, but that it just stands out as different to them when they watch the movie.

The reason that the play and the movie cause so many critical comments to arise is the way that the people of Appalachia are depicted. The depiction of these people is not accurate for what the majority of Appalachian people are like. Scholars are offended because of the play and the movie; the public sees the mountain men as violent, dark, vicious people, when in reality that is a stereotype. These scholars have worked hard learning about the people, and then they see a false movie and play that quickly influences the public. I agree with the people that are offended, because these depictions seem so poor. In the play it is all about violent and evil people, and the movie shows the people as stupid, dirty mountain men. In the play I don’t think there is a strong sense of displaying the culture of Appalachia, which I believe the play should have done. In the movie there is a sense of the culture, perhaps because there is an image to go with the talking, but to me it showed more than the play. I don’t think it matters if he was trying to help or not, he is entitled to do what he wants to do. By writing the play he knew that there would be critiques, some good and some bad. In a way it makes it less the writers fault because he meant well, but he still didn’t do enough research to get his facts straight. The one time I thought Appalachian people were portrayed decently was at the end of the movie when Ed came for the cars and saw the people at the gas station with the cars.

One of the big criticisms that arose from, The Kentucky Cycle, was that the portrayal of mean, dark, and evil mountain people was over exaggerated. One character that represents the critique given is Ezekiel “Zeke” Rowen. Zeke first appeared in the play when he was a teenager watching his brother wrestle with their slave while he sat on the porch reading the bible. Zeke is quickly established as a biblical man and then the circuit court came and took all of his father Patrick’s possessions. After his brother Zack left, his father was crying and Zeke comforted him by telling him that they would wait patiently for revenge. As the play continues we see the continued family feud of Rowen and Talbert still raging. Zeke hatches a plan with his son to kill the Talbert family by starting with the father. Zeke’s son follows the plan and then they head to the Talbert house where the kill the whole family, throw salt in the fields leaving only two women as witnesses. Zeke then violently breaks the neck of the son, Randall, even after his son begs him not to.

I agree with this critique of the play because the play is so violent and dark, that it is hard to believe that Appalachia was like that. Obviously there were conflicts and family feuds, but the entire area should not be portrayed the incredibly dark way the play did. I think the play made too bold a generalization on the area and that a less dark depiction would have been more realistic. Zeke calls us to believe the critic is real because he does so many dark things, and he is in general a dark character. It is interesting because he quotes the bible and reads it a lot, yet has no trouble breaking a child’s neck. It seems unlikely that Zeke would plot so much and do so much when he seems so religious, also the fact that all of the darkness hardly affects him.

The way that Appalachia is depicted is not entirely about serving someone’s interest, but it has in some sense become that way. The depiction can be intended for a variety of people. It serves the people of the region who are being depicted because they now have something to be proud of. Their region is being depicted as an area of culture and life, which means that people who don’t live in the region will look at it in a better light. What came about was the “competitive representation” that many people came to the region to find out more about the culture, which thrust the region’s people into the spotlight. They went from being the backcountry folk who were always badmouthed, to people of more value and interest. Other people that gained were of course the people who made the “new” findings about the region because their work became popular and they were able to make a name for themselves. Books, songs, and other items on the region began to spread across the country and the explorers gained fame and potentially fortune.

It is important for the media to portray the region this way because it brings an understanding to the region that was previously hard to see. With all the folklore on the region outsiders can see what Appalachian culture can be like. It becomes a positive, cultured light on an area that was previously seen as negative. When the region was portrayed this way it increased the desire to learn about the region and explore as much as possible. Now the region began to be portrayed in the way that it was, rather than what the stereotypes were.

Ballard attempts to draw a distinction between people who buy hillbilly products because they get the joke and because they believe in the stereotypes. I think Ballard means that there are some people who buy these products because they think it is funny, and they get a kick out of it. They use the products to make fun of hillbillies and the image that they have become. The other side is the people who buy the products because they think it is the truth, but they don’t necessarily find it funny. These people buy the products because they see it as what the hillbillies really are and perhaps they want to be a part of that. I agree with her because although the distinction between these two groups is not very big, I believe that one group buys the product to make fun of it, while the other is simply buying into the image of the hillbilly with no intention to make fun of it. I do see how people could consider the two groups of consumers the same because the difference is fairly small. Purchasing these products does not necessarily mean that you support the stereotype; sometimes people buy things that they don’t believe in. I don’t think it is ok to have some people purchase and other not, because there is no reason why people shouldn’t be allowed to purchase the product. In this day and age finding an image on the internet would be easier, so there is no reason to say some cant buy. I would buy the product, but I would also not be excited about doing so. It does not make me uncomfortable by buying the product, but I also don’t believe that these products need to be sold.