Appalachia seems to be an incredibly rich area/subject matter, whether most common ideas on it are accurate or not. But upon putting pen to paper, I realized I really didn’t have many preconceived notions on the matter at all. I am aware of the general Appalachia region, however I did not realize it extended up to New York. When I think of Appalachia I think of mountains, valleys, rivers, a massive trail, and people in hiking boots. That’s about it.
Other common responses to the question, “What comes to mind when you think of Appalachia?” are basically a bunch of stereotypes; moonshine, bluegrass, deliverance, Ginseng, meth, snake-handling, swamp nuggets, skeeters, religion, etc. I’m not sure if this image is an accurate depiction, but it’s a strongly painted picture nonetheless. For some reason, I was not exposed to Appalachia as a region worth studying, learning about, or even joking about; that is at least more recently than elementary and middle school with curriculum I can remember. I’d like to figure out where the disconnect is between myself and the other Appalachia “experts.”
I’m a white, cisgender female, raised in an upper-middle class home in the Suburbs of Richmond area, Virginia. I grew up in a Christian home as an only child; I was incredibly sheltered. I watched the television my parents said I could watch, I didn’t watch PG13 movies until I was thirteen and a half, and I never tasted more than a sip of my father’s beer until college. When I think of moonshine, I think of an episode of Andy Griffith I watched with my father once. When I think of bluegrass, I think of my uncles playing banjos and old guitars in my grandmother’s living room in Roanoke. I have small, personal connections to each of these things, but I don’t connect any of it to Appalachia.
So, I’m wondering if Hollywood’s interpretation of Appalachia, and all other “entertainment” based rumors, or facts, on the matter are inherently labeled for a more “mature” audience. Whether on purpose or not, I was never exposed to these stereotypes. I assume that it was either too “inappropriate” for a girl like me, or just not worth delving into in a home like ours.
