Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Josh Lanier

 

When we consider the cultural identity associated with this little chunk of ground here in the southernmost reaches of Appalachia, one of the first things that comes to mind is the hardy people who settled the frontier, cleared and tilled the soil, and scratched out a living in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. 

First, it was the native peoples, then longhunters, followed by trappers and fur traders. Then came the first homesteaders that put down roots, some of whose descendants still reside here. Of course, one would be hard-pressed to have a discussion about the cultural identity of this region without talking about the moonshiners and bootleggers.

As time moved along, outsiders began showing up. Some stayed for a short time, while others liked it so much they couldn’t find a good enough reason to leave. Some of the locals were not too fond of the newcomers setting up camp here, while others welcomed their new neighbors with open arms. 

With the influx of people from other places came new ideas. Some of the new residents just wanted to do their own thing. They wanted to be left alone, and they tended to their own business. Others wanted to build upon what was already here and make improvements. A handful of long-time residents became suspicious, as they saw the changes taking place in their community as a threat to their culture and the only way of life they’d ever known.

The newcomers to the land were interested in making contributions that they believed would improve the quality of life in the place they now call home. They took an interest in the history and were enamored with the natural beauty of the region. It was only a matter of time before the outsiders saw the need to preserve the cultural traits that had caused them to stay. The local folks realized that there is an awareness, a renewed interest in their history and culture. Of course, time has passed and things have changed dramatically, but the things that used to be are now being embraced and celebrated. 

The locals witnessed the evolution of the culture over time and are pleased to see the younger generation having an appreciation and reverence for the traditional music, cuisine, language, and art of the region. They once again take pride in their community and their heritage, and there is a renewed sense of place and strong ties to the land just as their forebearers had. 

Dean Campbell—local historian and a figure familiar with longtime readers of this publication—said that it wasn’t until he left his home in the Dark Corner and then returned after some years that he realized what a special place he had left behind. Dean also said that it was often the “outsiders,” ones new to the area, that would point this out to him. As my dad would say, sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes. 

Cultural identity is not fixed, as it is continually evolving, morphing into something new. Our shared social, cultural, and historic experiences tend to influence what we conceive as our place in the world. Our cultural identity shapes our worldview. Just like Eudora Welty said, understanding our place helps us to understand all places. We no longer think of ourselves as just Southerners, or just Appalachians, or just Americans, but we realize that we are citizens of the world. 

When considering our cultural identity, we would do well to pay attention not only to our history and traditions but also to new ideas and current trends that will inevitably shape how we perceive ourselves for years to come.