Appalachian Identity: Roundtable Discussion — Summary Notes

Introduction

This note summarizes a roundtable discussion on Appalachian identity, published as part of a 2010 Appalachian Journal forum.
Authors include Barbara Ellen Smith, Stephen Fisher, Phillip Obermiller, David Whisnant, Emily Satterwhite, and Rodger Cunningham.
Barbara Ellen Smith, the moderator, introduced the topic as a debated area in scholarship and activism, focusing on social justice issues like economic justice, labor, living wage, and Latino immigration in Appalachia and the broader South.
Core questions of the discussion:
- What defines Appalachian identity?
- How can regional identity be used for social justice without becoming isolated or focused only on the past?
- What are the risks of community solidarity based on place (e.g., nostalgia, isolation, making everyone seem the same)?
Historical background:
- The debate grew out of Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) sessions in 2007 (Maryville, Tennessee) titled “Oppositional Politics or Insular Regionalism?” and a 2008 session by Rodger Cunningham.
- These sessions showed deep disagreements about the political meaning, usefulness, and validity of Appalachian identity.
Main viewpoints:
- Fisher and Obermiller: See identity positively as a way to resist and achieve social change.
- Whisnant and Satterwhite: Warn about separating insiders from outsiders and the dangers of defining identity too strictly or nationally.
- Cunningham: Provides a theoretical link between Appalachian identity and broader anti-racism efforts, focusing on the historical causes of prejudice.
Key Underlying Idea: Appalachian identity is particularly relevant now due to deindustrialization, economic struggles, forced migration, and environmental harm (like mountaintop removal).
- Identity can empower people but can also lead to xenophobia if used incorrectly or defined too narrowly.
- The main goal of the discussion is to find ways to foster an empowering, fair Appalachian identity without promoting exclusion or nationalism.
Discussion's Structure: To explore “what forms of Appalachian identity truly point toward justice?” and how identity relates to class, gender, sexuality, race, and connections with other regions.
Method:
- The speakers use personal stories, classroom practices, and political organizing as places where identity is formed, tested, and used again for social justice.

Steve Fisher: Claiming Appalachia — and the Questions that Go with It

Fisher's View: Appalachian identity can be a deliberate act of resistance, providing a sense of grounding for individuals who face negative stereotypes and leading to solidarity with others. He believes pride in one's place is essential for accepting the dignity and equality of others.
Personal Experience: Fisher recounts moving from being ashamed of his Appalachian background to embracing it after recognizing how the region was exploited. However, he also notes the lack of agreement on what “Appalachia” means and the risks of using the term to push specific agendas.
Core Argument: There is no easy, single definition of Appalachia. The term is used in many different political efforts, and not all of them empower residents equally.
Practical and Empowering Aspect: Claiming Appalachian identity can give people a sense of belonging and community. It can also inspire political action (e.g., in his Appalachian political economy course and its impact on students).
Development of Identity: He argues that cultural expression and regional identity aren't automatic results of being in a place. They come from intentional educational and political work that recognizes place, identity, and culture as tools for resistance.
Questions Raised (with no easy answers):
- What circumstances lead people to identify as Appalachians?
- How does Appalachian identity relate to personal empowerment?
- How do regional identity, social class, gender, sexuality, and family life interact?
- How can regional identity be developed to link local struggles with larger movements beyond Appalachia?
Teaching Insights: In his Appalachian political economy course, many students were first-generation or from coalfields/rural areas with low self-esteem. The course helped them build pride and see themselves as political actors. He intentionally recruited a diverse student body (including African American, LGBTQ+, and international students) to highlight how different forms of oppression and resistance connect.
Representation and Storytelling: Fisher stresses that telling stories empowers individuals and communities to fight stereotypes and connect regional issues to national/global ones.
Warning Against Single Identity: He warns against accepting one “legitimate” Appalachian experience and emphasizes the need to recognize the region's diversity and many different experiences.
Overall Position: Place and identity are vital for resistance, but they are not enough on their own. They must be linked to collective action and solidarity across regions to achieve a just Appalachian future.

Phillip J. Obermiller: Thoughts on the Importance of Identifying Appalachians

Theoretical Context: Obermiller refers to current sociological discussions (e.g., Dwight Billings) describing Appalachia as complex, changing, and diverse, rather than having one fixed identity. He sees culture as fluid, negotiating meaning based on current limits and actions.
Many Appalachian Identities: He points out that there's no agreement on who counts as Appalachian. He acknowledges that “Appalachian” is a debated label with various meanings and uses in politics and policy.
Identity as a Tool, Not a Fixed Quality: He advocates for practical regionalism or operational identities—identities that can be used to organize for better health, policy, and well-being, instead of searching for a static, perfect Appalachian type.
Health Disparities Example: Obermiller highlights that Appalachian people experience different health outcomes. Health policy must recognize regional identities to create tailored programs (e.g., for hypertension, pneumoconiosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs) and to train healthcare providers to correctly identify Appalachian patients. He notes that even Canada's Maritime Provinces, similar to Appalachia, were underserved for decades after national health coverage started.
Health Data and Policy: He uses health status as a concrete, policy-relevant example to show how regional identity affects healthcare needs and policy design.
Key Theories:
- Henri Tajfel’s social identity theory: Explains how identity is created and used to drive social change; group identities are flexible and depend on the context.
- Castells' distinction: Between resistance identity (which reclaims identity by rejecting imposed judgments) and project identity (which seeks broader justice in society).
Pragmatic Stance on Identity: He suggests focusing on practical, transformative uses of identity and acknowledging the diversity within Appalachia. He emphasizes that individuals have the power to redefine identity in ways that improve social welfare.
Concrete Position: Recognizing Appalachian identity as a meaningful concept has value because it can influence lives and policies, but it should not be treated as a fixed, universally applicable category.
Conclusion: Appalachia’s identity is important but must be approached practically—by developing identities that empower people and connect local struggles to broader social justice goals.

Emily Satterwhite: Objecting to Insider/Outsider Politics

Core Stance: Satterwhite offers a careful critique of insider/outersider politics and rejects the idea that authenticity or insider status automatically grants authority or legitimate knowledge about Appalachia. Her classroom experiences show that being an insider rarely means having superior knowledge.
Classroom Setting: In her Introduction to Appalachian Studies course at Virginia Tech, most students are not insiders; many come from urban or non-Appalachian backgrounds, and few are first-generation college students from the region.
Three-part Teaching Approach to Challenge Simplistic Views:
- 1) Critical engagement with generalizations: Teaches students to critically examine common ideas about group differences, starting with Wilma Dunaway’s critique of the Agrarian Myth (the belief in a completely self-sufficient, uniform Appalachian rural population).
- 2) Recognize representation as exploitation: Teaches students that power often creates narratives about groups that justify domination (e.g., imperial narratives, romanticized exoticism).
- 3) Analyze positive generalizations: Examines the consequences of seemingly positive generalizations about mountain people (e.g., how celebrating insiders or rural authenticity can hide power dynamics, gender issues, and racial biases).
Risks of Insider/Outsider Politics: Using essentialist claims of authenticity can replace critical thinking and exclude or marginalize non-insiders. These diverse perspectives are vital for understanding power dynamics and social justice in Appalachia.
Castells: Project vs. Resistance Identities: Satterwhite uses Manuel Castells to distinguish between resistance identities (which reaffirm stereotypes, e.g., "I am Appalachian because I am rural/unclear about power") and project identities (which aim to transform society toward justice for all).
Memoir as a Source of Tension: She notes how memoirs of Appalachian life show a struggle between resisting essentialist images and using insider status to validate authenticity. Memoirs can make generalizations more complex but also risk reinforcing insider/outsider distinctions.
Dangers of Romanticizing Appalachia: She warns that celebratory narratives can fuel white nationalist rhetoric, Southern neo-Confederate nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment when “Appalachian” is romanticized as white, rural, virtuous, or innocent.
Critique of Media Portrayals: She argues against simply reversing the gaze—against creating a patronizing "noble savage" image by celebrating insiders while condemning outsiders.
Practical Recommendation: Promote a broader politics of solidarity that moves beyond identity politics to address systemic injustices (race, class, gender, sexuality) and avoid endorsing simplistic or essentialist views of the region.
Teaching Implication: The classroom should foster critical awareness of how groups are represented, how generalizations are made, and how power operates. It should also encourage students to engage in real-world social justice work that goes beyond simple insider/outsider labels.

David Whisnant: Appalachian Regionalism – Corollaries to Sheldon Kopp’s Eschatological Laundry List

Introduction to a Unique Approach: Whisnant suggests comparing Appalachian regional identity to Sheldon Kopp’s Eschatological Laundry List (a series of challenging, unconventional statements about life's realities).
Personal Context and Goal: He frames his comments as a response to the ASA session and as a playful but serious exploration of unspoken beliefs people might hold about Appalachian identity.
The "Laundry List" Method: Whisnant uses Kopp’s original 43-item list to illustrate the kind of honest, sometimes uncomfortable reflections people have about life, identity, and authenticity. He then introduces his own Appalachian version of the list, as a lighthearted but direct way to expose internal assumptions about warmth, identity, and politics.
Self-critique of Institutions: He points out the risk of organizations like the Appalachian Studies Association becoming overly self-important, creating their own myths, and developing overarching narratives that don't match reality.
Insiders vs. Outsiders (Important Note): He discusses the difficulty of categorizing people as insiders or outsiders and highlights the political and ethical risks of strict labeling.
Aim of the Exercise: This is not a formal declaration but a candid, thought-provoking tool to bring up ideas people rarely admit in formal settings. It's meant to encourage reflection on how identity work functions within academia and activism.
Overall Message: The exercise promotes humility, self-examination, and an openness to many perspectives on Appalachian identity, especially concerning social justice and regional solidarity.

Rodger Cunningham: Reflections on Identity and the Roots of Prejudice

Castells' Framework: Cunningham focuses on Manuel Castells’ three ways of building identity:
- Legitimacy: (lowest level) When a dominant group labels another group as inferior.
- Resistance: (second level) Reclaiming identity by rejecting the imposed negative judgment.
- Project: (highest level) Seeking justice for the group as part of a larger change in society.
A Fourth, Critical Dimension: Cunningham adds another important level: one that directly analyzes national/global structures (historical, social, semiotic) of oppression. This level connects Appalachian struggles to anti-racist work, specifically emphasizing the core role of slavery and anti-Black racism in American prejudice.
Symbolism of Race and Place: Cunningham argues that the symbolic meaning of "Appalachian" stereotypes is linked to ideas of whiteness and Blackness, as well as Native American imagery. These symbolic systems are used to justify taking land/resources and to dehumanize Appalachian people.
Connection to Land and Resources: He notes that stereotypes about Appalachians often serve economic and political interests related to controlling land and resources, reinforcing racial hierarchies and justifying domination.
Moving Towards Unity and Action: The goal is to pursue equality and respect without narrowing the struggle to just one aspect (e.g., ethnicity or region). He advocates for direct anti-racist work and solidarity across different racial groups as essential parts of Appalachian organizing.
Strategic Warning: He cautions against using Appalachian identity merely to gain sympathy or claim moral superiority. Instead, the movement should engage with broader social justice movements and address the symbolic roots of prejudice.
Political Implications: Cunningham argues that work on Appalachian identity must directly address anti-Black racism and confront the larger national and global structures that create prejudice. This also means recognizing Appalachia’s own history of diverse racial voices and identities.

Synthesis: Shared themes and tensions across the roundtable

Central Contradiction: Appalachian identity is both a potential source of political strength and a risk for promoting exclusionary nationalism or overly simplistic narratives.
Three Modes of Identity (Castells) as a Guide: Historically, resistance identity has driven Appalachia-focused activism. However, project identity offers a more transformative, inclusive path toward social justice for all groups.
Insider/Outsider Politics: Debates about who can claim Appalachian identity and speak for it highlight the limits of identity as a political tool when it becomes a barrier rather than a way to build unity.
Representation and Power: Representation matters because it determines who speaks, who is listened to, and whose experiences are acknowledged in policy and public discussion. Critical teaching and thoughtful practice are essential to counter simplistic, nostalgic, or overly defined portrayals.
Health, Policy, and Practical Outcomes: Real health disparities demonstrate how regional identity can be used in policy and healthcare training to better serve Appalachian communities, without reducing them to stereotypes.
Ethical Considerations: The panel links the ethics of how groups are represented to the goals of justice—how to honor many Appalachian experiences without reinforcing harmful generalizations or white nationalist narratives.
Call to Action: Emphasize education, solidarity across regions, and direct engagement with systemic inequalities (racism, class exploitation, gendered oppression) as the ways to achieve a more just Appalachian future.

Key concepts and terms

Appalachian identity: A contested, dynamic construct used across political, cultural, and social projects.
Resistance identity (Castells): Identity built in opposition to stigma, often used to challenge negative stereotypes but can strengthen generalizations if not connected to broader aims.
Project identity (Castells): A higher-form identity oriented toward transforming society toward justice for all groups.
Insider/Outsider politics: Claims of true belonging used to justify authority; criticized for promoting exclusion and overly strict definitions of identity.
Practical regionalism / Operational identities (Obermiller): Focuses on useful, action-oriented identities that help solve real-world problems (like health, policy, well-being) rather than concentrating on one core essence.
Social identity theory (Tajfel): Explains identity formation as a social process and a tool for collective action, with identities shaped by context and power dynamics.
Castells’ three forms of identity-building: Legitimacy, Resistance, Project; plus Cunningham’s proposed fourth level (anti-racist, informed by structural analysis).
Representations as power tools: The role of literature, education, and media in shaping how the public sees Appalachia, for better or worse.
Memoir as identity discussion: Personal stories that both illuminate and complicate common images of Appalachia.
Health disparities as a policy lens: Using regional identity to customize health policy and public services for Appalachian communities.
Land, resources, and racialized stereotypes: The historical and material connection where identity, oppression, and economic interests meet.

Notes and references (highlights)

Barbara Ellen Smith: Introduction to the roundtable; discusses 2007 and 2008 ASA sessions; highlights dangers of nostalgia and isolation; emphasizes connecting regional struggles to national/global issues.
Steve Fisher, Claiming Appalachia — and the Questions that Go with It: Identity as empowerment; the importance of storytelling; cautions against a single, fixed Appalachian experience; insights from teaching and student transformation.
Phillip J. Obermiller, Thoughts on the Importance of Identifying Appalachians: Plural, fluid identities; health disparities as an example; Tajfel and Castells as theoretical foundations; practical, non-essentialist regionalism.
Emily Satterwhite, Objecting to Insider/Outsider Politics: Critique of overly strict identity definitions; classroom teaching methods; role of representation; emphasis on Castells’ project vs. resistance identities; warns about white nationalist and xenophobic risks in identity discussions.
David E. Whisnant, Appalachian Regionalism: Corollaries to Sheldon Kopp’s Eschatological Laundry List: Uses a thought-provoking personal list to question assumptions about Appalachian identity; critique of institutions creating their own myths; labels like insider/outsider are insufficient.
Rodger Cunningham, Reflections on Identity and the Roots of Prejudice: Castells’ framework; proposes a fourth level linking anti-racist analysis to Appalachian identity; emphasizes anti-Black racism as a key symbolic issue; calls for solidarity across identity groups for transformative justice.
Key sources cited: Works by Dwight Billings, Herbert Reid, Ron Eller, Patricia Nelson Limerick, Manuel Castells, Henri Tajfel, and various Appalachian studies scholars (e.g., Wilma Dunaway, Darlene Wilson, Peggy Shifflett, Crystal Wilkinson, Jeff Mann).