“Far too complex to capture & far too dynamic to die.” When people talk about perceived differences between Native America & “the rest of America,” I often say “maybe mainstream America but you could be describing Appalachia.” I only lived there for 3 years but growing up, I spent summers & holidays there. When I did my time on the Hill, I was there nearly every weekend to see my grandmothers. My Appalachian roots run DEEP. My folk may be clannish but we’re duty driven, diverse & resilient AF.
Hillbillies Need No Elegy — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER
In the new book “Appalachian Reckoning,” dozens of mountain voices combine to talk back to J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” arguments. Today, an exclusive story from its co-editor and a powerful essay excerpted from the book.
bittersoutherner.com