Group Differences Appalachia (Thaller)

I am a native Appalachian. My ancestors were Appalachians for as far back as I know anything about. My grandmother was born in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and my great-great grandfather is buried there. I don’t know if being so immersed in a culture is a help or hindrance to understanding its flaws.

I grew up listening to my grandparents’ “country talk.” I noticed even when I was young how different it was from what I heard on TV. My mother spoke less in that style, and I even less. Thaller seems to suggest that we expose kids to a multilingual education, both standard English and Appalachian English. I’m torn on the idea. I would like that old way of speech to be preserved, but as an historic artifact. I can’t see how a child’s education is enhanced by teachers modeling Appalachian speech. Maybe the kids are more comfortable talking that way, but I don’t believe education is about making people comfortable. Being fluent in standard English is important to the kids’ success outside the valleys and ridges of Appalachia.

The article mentions the creativity of the Appalachian culture, referring to the Appalachian people as more “right-brained” than “left-brained.” She mentions quilting and other handicrafts. I’m not sure that I buy her theory. I can’t see that we are any more creative as a whole than other cultures. I sure don’t want students’ educations to revolve around trying to work artistic creations into every subject. Students should learn the same math curriculum that students outside Appalachia learn. Relating math to the perceived Appalachian culture by designing world problems about quilting and moonshining isn’t going to help students better learn math.

Thaller also discusses teaching students about the physical geography of the place they live in order to be better caretakers of the land. I agree with that. I’m blown away by the amount of local people in East Tennessee that don’t know we have a world-famous national park in our back yards. But they do know about Dollywood.

Thaller also mentions that many kids are educated to move away from home. She says that more kids should be educated with an eye toward staying in rural Appalachia and improving the situation there. That’s far easier said than done. Until there are opportunities for educated students at home, most will move away. I don’t think there will be many opportunities until more stay. It’s a vicious cycle.

Finally, Thaller speaks against “blaming the victim.” I disagree. The Appalachian people are responsible themselves for the sorry state of education in the region. It’s not the fault of “greedy corporations” or stereotyping from outsiders. Most of the problem is due to the culture of Appalachians. A large portion of Appalachians see no value in education. There is even a distrust of highly educated people. Until that changes, education will continue to be in a sad state, and poverty rates will continue to be high.