Stereotypes In The Appalachian Mountains

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Today, tourism in the Appalachian Mountains is a popular thing to do. For example, in Gatlinburg Tennessee, more than 11 million visitors come to tour the area each year. However, this area is more than just a tourist trap. By today’s standards, Appalachia is considered a minority. The individuals in this region are looked down upon by cultural, social, and economic standards. They are perceived as uneducated and uncivilized. These stereotypes are influenced by popular culture today. Appalachia is a diverse region due to its people and landforms. Many parts of the Appalachian Mountains are pleasing to the eye. The Great Smoky Mountains are one of a kind mountains. I was on the top of one of the mountains and the view was breathtaking …show more content…

In rural Appalachia, the Baptism and Christianity are main religions. Many families in this region go to the same church and have similar faiths. Revival, a popular form of teaching in this area, includes faith healing, hymn singing, hand waving toward the sky, spirited preaching, and speaking in tongues. There are stereotypes for this region’s religious practices. Uneducated and ignorant preachers, evangelists, holy rollers, and barefoot hillbillies are all examples of these cruel stereotypes. These stereotypes may be true for a select few, but many of these caricatures are untrue. The media, news, and literature are part of the blame for this. Their portrayal of this area has caused society to identify the Appalachians as southern and uneducated. Mocking people in this area is wrong and inaccurate. Another reason for this region being stereotyped is outside influences viewing their own religions as superior to the Appalachian religion. They are not open to other suggestions for their faith and therefore consider other denominations as incorrect. In conclusion, Appalachia is a diverse area. Its people and landscape are unique. However, cultural stereotypes place the people in a low position. People are looked at as evangelicals, hillbillies, and uneducated. The area is isolated from other industrial cities due to its mountains. Many of the jobs include logging, coal mining, and lumbering. The religion in the area is mainly Christian based. The people are perceived as very devoted to their religion and often have a similar faith to their

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