WV
Appalachian Lit has already caused me to reflect upon how the culture and attitudes in the Appalachias in general - and West Virginia specifically - were (and in some ways still are) affected by the mountainous terrain.
In the 19th century, many Appalachian residents did their own farming, made their own clothes, and built their own houses, which is one of the reasons that the people who inhabited what is now West Virginia did not, and had no desire to, own slaves. Aside from this, the particular set-up I have described is rather anti-capitalist (pre-capitalist, in fact) which may in some small way explain why West Virginia to this very day has Democrats strongly holding state and local offices, as well as solid social programs that are minimal or non-existent even in wealthier states.
The college that I attend, WVSU, was one of the first colleges in the nation developed for African-American citizens freed from slavery after the Civil War. It was integrated in the 1950's and is now famous as a historically black college throughout the nation, but also is known for it's affordability to working class whites and other marginalized people, like the disabled and single mothers, who otherwise might not be able to afford college. What's fascinating about this school, to me, is that apart from this factor there are students who come from other states and even other countries to attend WVSU.
I think it's true that West Virginia stays locked behind in time despite the highway systems implemented in the middle of the 20th century. While we've certainly moved beyond dirt floors and bare feet (much to the surprise (and I secretly hope also embarrassment) of people in more urban areas who still think West Virginia resembles Deliverence , or at least Ma and Pa Kettle) there is still a stronger tie to extended family and older relatives than there tend to be in the more "mainstream" American experience, as well as the stubborness and independence of mountain people that I still see in my family members and sometimes myself.
My grandfather was born in a small log cabin in Richwood and lived the whole stereotype of mountain folk until he dropped out of high school to run away to join the military (you could do that during WWII). Even though I look at many of the values he held during his life as ignorant or archaic, it's also true that I am who I am because my grandfather wanted something in his life beyond an ignorant mountain existence. Compared to the people he grew up with, my grandfather was extraordinary because he not only joined the military, but later earned his GED (or adult diploma) and became educated as a civil engineer. My grandfather is one of the men responsible for designing and building the roads and bridges that brought West Virginia into the modern world. It would surely do me well to remember him in that light a little more often.
I'm really enjoying this class. I don't think it ever occured to me just how much Appalachian people are overlooked or mocked in mainstream culture until I took this class. It's like I'm learning about my own history, my people's history, including my Cherokee great-grandmother whose people lived in this land long before the Scots-Irish and German conquered the mountains.
In the 19th century, many Appalachian residents did their own farming, made their own clothes, and built their own houses, which is one of the reasons that the people who inhabited what is now West Virginia did not, and had no desire to, own slaves. Aside from this, the particular set-up I have described is rather anti-capitalist (pre-capitalist, in fact) which may in some small way explain why West Virginia to this very day has Democrats strongly holding state and local offices, as well as solid social programs that are minimal or non-existent even in wealthier states.
The college that I attend, WVSU, was one of the first colleges in the nation developed for African-American citizens freed from slavery after the Civil War. It was integrated in the 1950's and is now famous as a historically black college throughout the nation, but also is known for it's affordability to working class whites and other marginalized people, like the disabled and single mothers, who otherwise might not be able to afford college. What's fascinating about this school, to me, is that apart from this factor there are students who come from other states and even other countries to attend WVSU.
I think it's true that West Virginia stays locked behind in time despite the highway systems implemented in the middle of the 20th century. While we've certainly moved beyond dirt floors and bare feet (much to the surprise (and I secretly hope also embarrassment) of people in more urban areas who still think West Virginia resembles Deliverence , or at least Ma and Pa Kettle) there is still a stronger tie to extended family and older relatives than there tend to be in the more "mainstream" American experience, as well as the stubborness and independence of mountain people that I still see in my family members and sometimes myself.
My grandfather was born in a small log cabin in Richwood and lived the whole stereotype of mountain folk until he dropped out of high school to run away to join the military (you could do that during WWII). Even though I look at many of the values he held during his life as ignorant or archaic, it's also true that I am who I am because my grandfather wanted something in his life beyond an ignorant mountain existence. Compared to the people he grew up with, my grandfather was extraordinary because he not only joined the military, but later earned his GED (or adult diploma) and became educated as a civil engineer. My grandfather is one of the men responsible for designing and building the roads and bridges that brought West Virginia into the modern world. It would surely do me well to remember him in that light a little more often.
I'm really enjoying this class. I don't think it ever occured to me just how much Appalachian people are overlooked or mocked in mainstream culture until I took this class. It's like I'm learning about my own history, my people's history, including my Cherokee great-grandmother whose people lived in this land long before the Scots-Irish and German conquered the mountains.