WV question responses

1. Have you experienced prejudice or negative stereotyping because you are a West Virginian? Have you experienced positive reactions?
Yes, I have exoerienced negative stereotyping because I'm a West Virginian, and I'm sure anyone who have visited other states or perhaps talked to someone from another state has experienced it too. I've heard the old "do you where shoes" question a few times before, along with all the incest slanders about West Virginia. When I hear remarks like that I just laugh, or make a joke about it. On a brighter note, I have heard more positive reactions from people than negative. I've talked to people from out of state on this campus, who say the people here are so much nicer or down to earth than from back home. Also they talk about how they like the laid back lifestyle and the beautiful landscapes of West Virginia. Whenever you hear positive responses like that, it definitely makes you proud to be a West Virginian.

2. Some feel that there is a dark part of the West Virginia psyche due to the exploition, the rugged life, poverty, or some say, life in dark hollows. Do you see truth to this?
No matter what state your in this country, or part of the world, the fact of the matter is there is going to be dark parts, that's just how it is. We've akk heard of Jesco White and his family. There have been documentaries on them and a movie was recently made about them that exposes their wild and crazy rebel attitudes. This could be another way to exploit people of West Virginia, but things like that you take with a grain of salt. I've also heard personal experiences from professors giving examples of things us future teachers will see in the workplace, such as people who live in homes with dirt floors and without running water in their home, along with astonishingly unsanitatry living conditions. Another professor said in a school not 45 minutes from Fairmont, there are kids that actually are born as a result of incest. They explained that the family lives in a holler, and they don't leave it, and do not welcome outsiders. I also have been through areas of the state where I have seen places of poverty and grave living conditions. So yes, I do see a little truth that there is a dark part, but not as extreme as some make it out to be. Like I said though, West Virginia is not the only state with dark areas.