J.D. Vance Never Was and Never Will Be the Voice of Appalachia

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the ongoing debate and misconceptions surrounding the portrayal of Appalachia and "hillbillies" in popular culture, particularly in relation to the book and film adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance. It highlights the frustration of Appalachian writers and residents who feel their stories and experiences are misrepresented or overlooked, and the tendency of both conservatives and liberals to use the region as a political talking point rather than engage in meaningful understanding and solutions.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Ongoing Debate Around "Hillbilly Elegy"

1. What are the key issues the article raises about the portrayal of Appalachia and "hillbillies" in popular culture?

• The article notes that the book and film adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance have sparked a flurry of essays and responses from Appalachian writers who feel their stories and experiences are misrepresented or overlooked.
• It argues that the book and its portrayal of Appalachia have allowed many Americans to "congratulate themselves and refuel their contempt" rather than engage in meaningful understanding of the region.
• The article suggests that the recent resurgence of the book's popularity and the film's success on Netflix indicate a continued lack of genuine interest in understanding the real experiences of Appalachians.

2. How does the author view the responses from both conservatives and liberals to the portrayal of Appalachia?

• The author notes that conservatives "pretend to get it, because it serves their purposes" by looking down on the rural poor, while liberals "get to have it both ways" by righteously denouncing Vance while also making jokes about "the yokels."
• The author expresses frustration that the rebuke of Vance's portrayal does not translate to a genuine reckoning with the real issues and needs of the Appalachian region.

3. What does the author see as the underlying problem with how Appalachia is perceived and discussed?

• The author argues that "people don't really want to understand" Appalachia, and that it is "far easier to mock it, shake our heads, and walk away" rather than engage in meaningful understanding and solutions.
• The author suggests that this pattern has persisted over time, from the initial popularity of "Hillbilly Elegy" in 2016 to the release of the film adaptation in 2020.

[02] The Author's Personal Connection to Appalachia

1. How does the author describe their relationship with Appalachia?

• The author notes that they are a liberal who has had to defend Appalachia more to other liberals than to conservatives, as the region "never fails to stoke the liberal intellectual's sense of superiority."
• The author acknowledges that they no longer live in Appalachia, having left over a decade ago, but that their family has been there for centuries.
• The author describes themselves as both the region's "biggest critic and its biggest defender," reflecting the complex and personal nature of their relationship with Appalachia.

2. How does the author view Appalachia and its people?

• The author describes Appalachia as a "complicated, beautiful place that has been pillaged and conned," but one where the people "survive and fight for it to this day" out of a desire to preserve its beauty and culture and make it better.
• The author suggests that the resilience and determination of Appalachians, despite the challenges they face, is a reflection of their status as a "marginalized group" fighting to preserve their way of life.