If you've never spent time in Appalachia, your idea of the region might be shaped by what you see in media like vice presidential nominee JD Vance鈥檚 bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy and its subsequent movie adaptation. But many popular depictions of Appalachia ignore its rich diversity. This hour, we talk to people who grew up in Appalachia to go beyond the stereotypes. discusses her book and tells us about searching for belonging with multiple marginalized identities. And , former Poet Laureate of Kentucky and author of the culinary memoir , reflects on her family's long and complex history in Appalachia stretching back to a marriage between a white man and an enslaved Black woman.
GUEST:
- Neema Avashia: Educator and author of .
- Crystal Wilkinson: Writer and former Poet Laureate of Kentucky. She teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky and is author of . Her latest book is .
Special thanks to our intern Frankie Devevo.
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