Perception

We recently passed the 50^th anniversary of Lyndon B. Johnson declaring his War on Poverty in Martin County, KY.  And surrounding this occasion, there has been a lot of media attention on Eastern KY, and if/ how it has changed in this 50 year period.  I have read many articles, the majority of which take the stance that although a lot has changed since that day, there is still a long way to go.  These articles point out how in these 50 years, the people of Appalachia no longer face issues like being without running water or electricity.  They also look at families still living below the poverty line- the unemployed coal miners, and the families living off of disability checks to name a few.  In the past few weeks, President Obama took a page out of President Johnson’s book, and chose to include Eastern Kentucky as one of his “Promise Zones.”  Obviously this area has fallen victim and suffered under an extractive industry for too long.  The entire country’s history would most likely be different if not for the coal mined from these very mountains.  So it does make me glad to see the country finally returning the favor, even in this small way.

However, this article was written as a reaction to the recent media attention:

http://www.npr.org/2014/01/18/263629452/in-appalachia-poverty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder

And I think it offers a very refreshing view of Appalachian poverty.  I do agree that for whatever reason, the nation sees Appalachia as one of the last groups that it is “politically correct” to make fun of.  Just a look some of the shows on television will make that clear.  Central Appalachia is just one of many poverty-stricken areas of the United States.  Yet for some reason, it is socially acceptable to target this poverty as a national “joke” when the same would never be done to, for example- the inner city of Detroit.

This is a difficult subject to write about, and not feel like I am repeating clichés or making broad generalizations.  But I am going to try.  I can compare the views on material possessions between here in Eastern KY and back home in suburban central North Carolina.  And I can honestly say that material things are not as important to people living here.  I would guess part of that comes from the much lower Area Median Income here.  But I would also like to think that there is a realization of how little having the newest car or the most expensive designer clothes or the biggest TV impacts how happy and content your life can be.  I feel like I can identify with this way of thinking.  Being in AmeriCorps means I receive a living stipend comparable to poverty level income.  I thought it would be a challenge living on these limited means while still paying rent, utilities, and various bills.  But in reality, after a year and a half living on this income, I have found it relatively easy to live within my means.  As long as I have a reliable car to get me around, a roof over my head, and a small amount of spending money, I really am pretty content.  I occasionally get frustrated that I can’t travel as much as I would like- things like hotels and flights are outside of my budget.  But I have made up for it by exploring the region close to my home.  There is so much natural beauty to see in just a 2 or 3 hour radius from Hazard, and I might as well spend my time here seeing as much of it as I can!  And I think my attitude is not all that different from other people living here in East Kentucky.  We live within our means, and we find ways to make it work.  Instead of dwelling on what we don’t have, we find joy in what we do.

Of all the people I have met that live here- doctors, lawyers, non-profit employees, and the low income population that I work with as my clients- none of them fit the “redneck” “hillbilly” stereotype.  When I do loan applications- one of the questions I have to ask is the highest level of education completed.  I hate asking this question.  I don’t want any of my clients to feel embarrassed or judged by their level of formal education.  I do have clients that didn’t go to school past the 8^th grade, but I also have clients in college.  Regardless of their education, none of my clients behave like the characters on “Honey Boo Boo” or “Buckwild.”  They are proud of what they do.  From working for minimum wage at a grocery store to working as a nurse’s aide to trying to raise not only your 3 children, but also the 3 of your brother’s that you recently adopted- people take pride in what they do.  And that is something to be admired.  The media portrays people from this region as uncultured and ignorant- but I have seen just the opposite.  I see talented musicians playing bluegrass music on a weekly basis.  I hear poetry at our local open mic nights every month.  And the local theater is rehearsing now to put on their yearly play. 

In conclusion, I want to challenge the stereotypes of the Appalachia people.  This group should not be any different than any other minority group when it comes to the nation’s stigmas and perceptions.  I am sick and tired of Eastern Kentucky being portrayed in the worst possible light.  The only positive stories I’ve seen in the media are about the people who try to “help” the people of Appalachia.  I’m ready for the uplifting stories I read in the local news and hear on the local radio, or even just positive stories of everyday life… for those stories about our local community to be the ones making it into the national media.  After 50 years, it’s about time!