Underneath conversations about rural poverty, for instance in West Virginia’s former and current coal country, there floats a question (sometimes voiced aloud): why don’t they just leave?
Good to hear from you - I had forgotten that this was your writing workshop week! Several points resonate with me: 1) what it feels like to be the one left behind in a shrinking community, 2) how thoughtless some people are as they pass judgment or joke about rural or mountain people, as if the people being spoken to aren’t smart enough to know they’re being disrespected!
I'm glad you were able to see yourself in this post, and I think your second point hits the nail on the head — I think some of us just can't resist ragging on people we think won't "get" the joke.
I like your writing, Hannah. You have a great blend of local feelings and your observations. Are you optimistic about the area? Do they feel the isolation is beneficial or detrimental? I’m enjoying the substack.
Thanks! I am optimistic in the sense that little by little there are more government incentives (federal especially) to start new economic projects (like renewable energy installations) in Central Appalachia and there are many people there eager to do that good work. The isolation is a mixed bag—the sense that I've gotten is that folks know the isolation dissuades businesses or maybe some tourists and would prefer that certain improvements be made to make it easier to reach deep into the mountains (for instance, there's a proposed extension of Interstate 64 that I've heard some support for, and of course pothole repairs and better regulation of heavy, dangerous coal trucks speeding down the highway is in order too). But of course I think folks don't want their towns to become big resort towns with giant income gaps and increased rents either—basically they want any employment opportunities that come to town to pay well enough to keep up with housing costs/for housing costs to remain reasonable even if the area becomes more populated.
"I have pet theories—as do Appalachian Studies scholars—about why it’s still socially acceptable or desirable to crap on people who live in rural places, but maybe that will become another blog post—let me know if that sounds interesting."
Good to hear from you - I had forgotten that this was your writing workshop week! Several points resonate with me: 1) what it feels like to be the one left behind in a shrinking community, 2) how thoughtless some people are as they pass judgment or joke about rural or mountain people, as if the people being spoken to aren’t smart enough to know they’re being disrespected!
Good thoughtful work, Hannah!!!
I'm glad you were able to see yourself in this post, and I think your second point hits the nail on the head — I think some of us just can't resist ragging on people we think won't "get" the joke.
living for the night at the museum ref
I like your writing, Hannah. You have a great blend of local feelings and your observations. Are you optimistic about the area? Do they feel the isolation is beneficial or detrimental? I’m enjoying the substack.
Thanks! I am optimistic in the sense that little by little there are more government incentives (federal especially) to start new economic projects (like renewable energy installations) in Central Appalachia and there are many people there eager to do that good work. The isolation is a mixed bag—the sense that I've gotten is that folks know the isolation dissuades businesses or maybe some tourists and would prefer that certain improvements be made to make it easier to reach deep into the mountains (for instance, there's a proposed extension of Interstate 64 that I've heard some support for, and of course pothole repairs and better regulation of heavy, dangerous coal trucks speeding down the highway is in order too). But of course I think folks don't want their towns to become big resort towns with giant income gaps and increased rents either—basically they want any employment opportunities that come to town to pay well enough to keep up with housing costs/for housing costs to remain reasonable even if the area becomes more populated.
"I have pet theories—as do Appalachian Studies scholars—about why it’s still socially acceptable or desirable to crap on people who live in rural places, but maybe that will become another blog post—let me know if that sounds interesting."
Short answer - it does. Write it!