On page 146 of Ballard’s chapter in Back Talk from Appalachia, Ballard tries to draw a distinction between those who buy hillbilly products because they get the joke(s) and those who see the products and believe the stereotypes they perpetuate. For this week’s prompt, I would like you to reflect on these statements. What do you think Ballard means? Do you agree with her or disagree? Does purchasing such products mean that you are supporting the stereotype the product represents? Is it ok for some people to purchase the products and not others? Are you comfortable purchasing such products? Why or why not?
I do not believe that purchasing supposedly hillbilly products necessarily supports the stereotype and I am reluctant to say that is not “ok” to buy hillbilly products but I can understand the concern for the perpetuation of the stereotype through the purchase of such products. Despite Ballard’s attempted distinction between individual that understand the joke or they actually believe the stereotypes, it is my opinion that regardless of this distinction both kinds of person have the capacity to perpetuate the stereotype. Whether or not one understands the joke or not, their purchase of the hillbilly product materializes the stereotype. That materialization of the stereotype is all the more harmful when those that understand the joke expose the hillbilly products to those ignorant to the satire of the product. Whether you understand the stereotype or are ignorant does not make you any less responsible for perpetuating the stereotype.