The Hillbilly Stereotype is Wrong
By Benjamin Tower
Most West Virginians do not fit the “hillbilly” stereotype. Hillbilly is a term used to criticize someone from the Appalachian region of the USA. A hillbilly is stereotyped to be someone that is a foolish, uneducated, quick to violence, and backwards.
A closer look at the hillbilly stereotype shows that these traits may be untrue. West Virginia high school graduation rates are similar to the national average. West Virginians have a long and rich history of music first noted by outsiders in 1907 and first recorded in 1920.
“Hillbilly” traits may also be admirable. People from Appalachia tend to have a deep connection and respect for nature. From the woods, they may collect food such as mushrooms, chives, or ramps and collect medicinal herbs such as yarrow, plantain, or nettle. West Virginians value family and their community. Family homes are passed down from generation to generation; a few generations may live together in that same family home. Small communities may be made up of extended family.
According to the WV Mine Wars Museum the hillbilly stereotype came from outsiders stealing the natural resources of WV and the labor of its people. But, West Virginians resisted this exploitation. In fact, African American, Latin American, and European American coal miners organized against the coal industry, despite coal companies’ attempts to segregate them. West Virginians are neither racists nor victims. They are survivors!
We can do something to stop these stereotypes! Ask friends and family to stop making jokes about WV. Ask out-of-state friends/family to visit WV and decide for themselves whether these stereotypes are true. Use social media to challenge stereotypes and educate friends/family about WV’s history. Or, you can teach people about these things yourself.
You may not think that these small things may make a difference, but each person you change can impact many more. Remember, negative hillbilly stereotypes may be untrue or admirable. Join this revolution against the hillbilly stereotype!
