June 2 & June 3

June 2, 2019  "These are My People"

On this day we toured the Museum of Appalachia along with the rural health class located in Clinton, TN.  Right away students learned it is pronounced Appa- LATCH-uh if you are from the area.  If you pronounce it like Appa-LAY- shuh, you are describing the mountain range or you are clearly not from "these parts".

The region encompasses several states that are among the Appalachian mountain range. Some states are more "core Appalachian", based on the region.  The core Appalachian states are parts of NC, KY, TN, VA, GA and all of WV.  When people think of people from Appalachia , the image that comes to mind may greatly vary based on one's experience or lack of experience with individuals that are considered Appalachian.  Some may use stereotypes terms like "backwoods", "introverted", "backward", "hillbilly", "poor", "redneck","uneducated" or even "inbred" to describe people from the Appalachia region.  These are derogatory terms often used by people who do not truly know of the people from these areas and their rich history. 

While I was not directly raised in Appalachia country, it is in my roots.  My father and his family are all from West Virginia. I have been blessed with many fond memories of interactions with family and people of this region.  While I learned many were poor, as they were living far below the poverty line, as a kid, I didn't recognize this.  In fact, the sense of family and kindness was so apparent, with lots of waving, manners, smiles and helpful attitudes, I hated coming back to Illinois where I didn't see this as much. 

My father came to Illinois from the Appalachia region of WV at age 18 because he didn't want to work in a coal mine and dependable work was scarce. He literally hitchiked with a bag of clothes and $50 to Peoria, IL as he heard about the posssibiites of Caterpillar. Eventually he landed a job there after working at a fuel station. Although he has been retired for the last 18 years, he continues to work hard.  One thing he has noticed over the years in this area is the continued lack of work for many people in this region.  These once proud people, in his words, have became "dependent of food stamps" and "lost their pride".  I would be interested to know if anyone else would correlate "no work, no pride" to some societal issues?

 If you would ask me to make generalizations based on 45 years of interacting with people from this region this is my list:  hard working, kind, church going, God fearing, self sustaining, possess high amounts of ingenuity, hospitable, modest, family oriented, grow their own food, have a fun sense of humor, musically talented, patriotic & stubborn. 

While students had the opportunity to see pictures from Appalachia today, I thought I would share some photos from my family in the Appalachia region.  Many did not have much of an education but they had life skills.  I am a first generation college student and the the first college graduate in my entire family on my fathers side. While that may sound like I have "made it", I do not posess the ingenuity that was in my grandfathers and father's generation who could fix anything, and wouldn't give up until it was done right! 

My Great Great Grandma

See any safety concerns? 

My Grandma, her sister in law (holding little baby), 3 of the 5 kids pictured here.  My dad likely trying to get away in this photo. 

 

...and the beat goes on!

My Grandma and her brothers.  None could read music, but they could pick up any instrument and play it.  Something that didn't leave her, even after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers and didn't recognize her family any more. Music is definitely powerful! 

June 3, 2019  Cherokee Culture & Generosity

We had orientation and a tour at the Cherokee Indian Hospital and explored the culture by going to the museums and Ocanaluftee Indian Village. We recieved a gracious gift on this day as the hospital arranged for us to have free admission to the museum, and Indian Village!  This was very kind and meaningful for all of us, and displays the type of people we have the privelege to learn from!  

As it is expected to rain half way through our week, we took advantage of the evening and some of us went for a float ride.   Please check the student's blogs for more postings and details about this  day's events.  If you want to see a clip of our adventure...please check this out!   

(students provided me permission to post and the student was rescued.  Definitely making fun memories here! )