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From: michael bertrand <bertrand@MAIL.H-NET.MSU.EDU>
List Editor: michael bertrand <bertrand@MAIL.H-NET.MSU.EDU>
Editor's Subject: Where is "Appalachia?"
Author's Subject: Where is "Appalachia?"
Date Written: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:14:57 -0500
Date Posted: Fri, 19 Nov 2009 16:14:57 -0500

Earlier, John Garst:

>I read something recently to the effect that Appalachia extends to
>Alabama. I've always had it extending to northeast Mississippi.

In response, Lance Kinney:

I assume the extent of "Appalachia" must be a contentious point.  I
suppose it can be considered from political, socio-cultural and
geographic perspectives, all of which could differ.

I live about 30 minutes from Tannehill State Park here in Alabama.
Just as one enters the park, there is a sign noting that the area is
the southern terminus of the Appalachian Mountain Range.  I know that
Tuscaloosa County looks very "Appalachian" to me as I drive through,
but I never considered myself as a mountaineer!  to me, this is an
example of a strict geological definition.  The residents of these
areas don't consider themselves "Appalachian."  They would describe
themselves as country boys, crackers, rednecks, etc.

Political entities allocate funds based on criteria that could include
location.  If a politician or activist can get their preferred
location defined as "Appalachian," this might enable the area to
access funds or services that are only available to "Appalachian"
areas.  Perhaps you will recall Sen Patrick Leahy's (D-VT) efforts to
have Lake Champlain defined as a Great Lake.  His efforts failed, but
the revised definition would have made funds available that the area
can't access now.

As for social/cultural identity, I have a colleague here that was
displaced from NOLA by Hurricane Katrina.  She has a sign in her
office reminding her to "Be a New Orleanian---Wherever You Are."
"Appalachian" identity must be as much psychological as geographic.
Vivid examples of this are noted in Chad Berry's book, _Southern
Migrants, Northern Exiles_.

Lance

-----
Lance Kinney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Advertising and Public Relations
Box 870172
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172
O:  (205) 348-7706
F:  (205) 348-2401
kinney@apr.ua.edu

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