Appalachia is large area in the North-East part of the United States that is extremely mountainous. People have been living in these hills for a long time and the culture they have developed is one of their own. The culture is unknown by many people that live in this area partly because schools do not talk about it in depth. Our goal was to figure out the the perspective of Appalachia by OU students and their thoughts of living here. We interviewed six people and asked them an array of questions and this is what they had to say.
By: Garrett Couche and Spencer Geissel
Growing up outside of Cambridge, Ohio I honestly did not have that much to do growing up so when I wasn't playing video games I found other things to do. I will admit there are many things to do in Appalachia besides go clubbing and shopping (And if you go into some of the larger cities on the Ohio River you will find these places). I will say many of my friends in high school such as myself would do stereotypical things like hunt, fish, and fix up cars (which I will say are VERY great and valuable skills to have) but in many cases for an "outsider" I've discovered it's hard for y'all to find things to do. If you're not afraid of getting a little dirty there are plenty of things to do.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Shea, and I am from Appalachia. As someone who is from this region, and who is dedicating her life to challenging stigma surrounding being Appalachian, I find the ideologies present in this video to be really troubling. I’d like to run you through some of the reasons why, but since this is a comments section, I would like to give you me email—shea.e.daniels@gmail.com--so we can chat further if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
First, the idea that people in Appalachia have ‘’basic lifestyles’’ is really troubling to me. I don’t know what constitutes a ‘’basic lifestyle,’’ but this phrasing reminds me of colonial discourse, which basically means that some people are more advanced, and thus more worthy or valuable, than other people. The people I know here are mostly honest, loyal to a fault, open minded, incredibly liberal, accepting, and loving. Some are total jerks, but not many. And we’re a diverse, complicated people. I know Appalachian people, and children of Appalachian out-migrants, who are white, brown, and black; gay, straight, bi, and trans*; who are democrats and liberals, mechanical engineers, photojournalists, community organizers, and poets. Whatever a basic lifestyle is, I don’t recognize anything less complex occurring here than any other region I’ve been in. We provide for our families because we love them, not because we ‘’can’t do anything else,’’ and we’re capable of everything you are capable of.
To the students who don’t believe there is anything to do here: Athens has one of the food economies in the state and nation. Check out the local food scene. We have one of the best protest campuses in the nation, so if you’re into advocacy, check it out. There are a number of free meals programs here, and you’re always welcome to volunteer at them (email me for more info). This area is riddled with state and national parks, quaint coffee shops, a wicked arts scene, a rockin’ music scene, a dynamic community of international students, and more. I have never once been bored here, and if you are, it is because you are not engaging your surroundings, not because your surroundings do not exist.
Lastly: the idea that there are no Appalachian students here. As of 2005, 36% of students here were Appalachian. I do believe this is the biggest demographic on campus,
Again, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I invite you to email me (shea.e.daniels@gmail.com) and I would love to speak with you, or to contact the Appalachian Student Union, try APSU@ohio.edu. They would be willing to answer any questions you might have as well.
Peace,
Shea