Journal prompt: What were your thoughts before discussion about Appalachians and after?

Before our class discussion about Appalachians, I literally didn’t know anything about Appalachians. I didn’t hear or read anything about this area and culture until yesterday. I have got some of my own thoughts about Appalachians after the discussion.

First, I think Appalachians have combined their own traditions and modern culture. In the two documentary videos, I found that they lived in a similar way with most people in the world. They use electric toothbrushes; school bus picked up kids for school. But in the other hand, they live in the mountain area and have their own life style, which is very cool. They are wild and always chasing freedom to some extents. Like the movie trailer and clip we watched in the class, their life styles are so different with people who live in big cities like New York or Los Angeles.

Second, I really appreciate their artworks. Pictures of their art we saw in the class were very impressive. They have their own basket style, instruments and other crafts. They used those crafts not only as tools but also art. Every culture has its own art and style. Appalachian art is a reflection of Appalachians’ life.

Dr. Morris asked us was it important for us to know who were the producers when we bought artworks in a museum store. I think in most cases I wouldn’t concern who is the producer. However, if the style is strong, I will be interested in its background. I am not very into mountain style like Appalachian even now, but I do believe that people should know what is the Appalachian art and its characteristics. It would be the our basic respect to Appalachians.