Where Are They Are From?

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson declared an unconditional war on poverty in the United States and the most photographed area was the Appalachia region. Many of the photographs intentional or not, became a visual definition of the Appalachia region. The images have drawn from the poorest areas and people to gain support for the war on poverty, but came to represent the entirety of the region. The point of the Looking at Appalachia project is to explore the diversity of Appalachia and to establish a visual counter point. (Home - Looking at Appalachia.) The three images I am going to analyze are challenge some of the stereotypes put on the Appalachia region. I believe my images challenge the stereotype that all Appalachian people do is work hard, go to church, and don’t have time for anything besides those two things.

When one thinks of the Appalachians, one generally thinks of the mountains of the southeastern region of the United States. However the Mountain range itself actually begins in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, extending from there for almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to central Alabama in the United States. Thus the region also forms the eastern counterpart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

In the world of Appalachia, stereotypes are abundant. There are stories told of mountaineers as lazy, bewildered, backward, and yet happy and complacent people. Mountain women are seen as diligent, strong, hard willed, and overall sturdy and weathered, bearing the burden of their male counterparts. These ideas of mountain life did not come out of thin air; they are the direct product of sensational nineteenth century media including print journalism and illustrative art that has continuously mislead and wrongfully represented the people of Appalachia. These stories, written and told by outsiders, served very little purpose to Appalachian natives other than means of humiliation and degradation. They served mostly to convince readers of the

The people of Appalachia are often characterized as ignorant, lazy, uneducated, drug addicted, and incestuous. Many believe that this impoverished area is full of hicks, hillbillies, and rednecks, but when examining the truths one might find an enriched culture with generous people who are hardworking, artistic, and family oriented with a strong religious faith.

Appalachian Literature provides a way to gain insight about the common stereotypes that are applied to specific gender. In literature, Appalachia men are shown to be valued less than outsiders as a result of the stereotypes applied to them. They are perceived as lazy drunks and incompetent males, resulting in outsiders viewing themselves as superior and Appalachian males as untrustworthy. Appalachian men attempt to prove their worth, while maintaining their pride. In Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, Inman, who is from the mountains of Appalachia, goes off to war and leaves the war as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Regardless of his appearance, during the time of the war Inman presents himself with pride about where he came from

Appalachians have always been labeled as hillbillies who are lawless, violent and morally and sexually deprived. That representation is incorrect and it doesn’t do justice to the true Appalachian culture. The culture isn’t different than any other in the sense that it represents the lives of individuals living in a particular area

“I don't know anything about where I’m at, who you are, where you’re taking me, where my family is, or if they’re okay,” I said shyly.

“No silly. I’m talking about the neighborhood. I have barely seen Nanimori and I want to look around while I get the chance.”

“It is in a small town called Lawton and you know how I don’t like big schools so it works out perfect.”

“Where exactly are we?” I asked, looking around while slowly exiting the vehicle. “This is the middle of nowhere.”

“You think so, yes?” chirps a female voice with an accent- Swedish, maybe? Or Italian?

“I look at her. “ You’re not from the Lake sector, are you?” The girl shakes her head. “Tanagashi sector.

     "He doesn't speak English," Anthony said. "His name is Philipe. He's from some where in South America. Right Caleb?" He said and looked at the air behind

“You know, I never thought you could be disheveled. Always the prim proper Jordan Jacobs,” she says in a terrible British accent.

“I am from London. Where are you from Sir Gordon?” Nathan said in a low weak voice,