Is it Good to be Young in the Mountains?

It's Good to be Young in the Mountains Conference 2015

About a month ago, the first It's Good to be Young in the Mountains conference was held in Harlan, Kentucky.  I was invited to attend and possibly blog about the event.  I hadn't been clear if I was "young" enough to go, but that was cleared up as those of any age could attend in support of the young folk.  Apparently, I am middle aged in the mountains - happily so.  I made plans to go.

The title of the conference struck me by making me ask the question - Is it good to be young in the mountains?  The main reason I ultimately decided to attend was to find out what our mountain youth are currently feeling about that question.  As a parent raising children here, it is a question that I have posed to myself often, though worded in many different ways.  

Will my daughters have opportunities to explore life in a myriad of ways living in southeastern, Kentucky?

Will living here rightly prepare my daughters for being in the world?


How do I ensure that my children see the bigger picture of culture and a more accurate representation of the variety of people in the world while living in a largely homogenized location?


Will they be able to raise a family here, or make a living for themselves if they desire to remain in the mountains?


Could they develop resentment and contempt for being here if they are aware of what is outside of these hills?


I can ask these questions with a type of hindsight, as I was young in the mountains once.  While I had a deep love for the landscape and culture, I longed to experience more of the world.  I was endlessly curious about other cultures/peoples.  I often didn't feel like I fit in well in my community, and because of that, a place where I could be more anonymous appealed to me.  As soon as the opportunity arose to leave the mountains, I took it.  It was also something I had been prepared for by the adults in my life.  As they noticed my interests and the way the economy was turning, they encouraged me to find a place outside of the region if it was made available.  They wanted more for me than what they thought I could find here.  It was made clear to me that at the time I was considered the youth, it wasn't good to be young in the mountains.  In fact, I was taught by several of the elders in my life that it is best to keep where I am from hushed when outside of the mountains so I won't be judged and have opportunities taken from me based on the stereotypes promoted about our home.

Taking a look at the conference schedule excited me.  They were offering workshops on everything from art to entrepreneurship.  Activities included cultural exchanges, film screenings, music, and food.  With a spread like that, I couldn't help but wonder what a freshly graduated me would do at a conference like this.  How would I be connected and inspired?  I felt a little jealous on behalf of my young self, but invigorated on behalf of my daughters.  What will things be like here when they are ready to venture out from under my wings?

Upon arriving in Harlan and exiting the car, there on the pavement to greet us was an unopened box of Winchester ammunition.  The song says you'll never leave Harlan alive, but you will if you have their ammo.  Coming to a place to investigate the positive possibilities for our youth and finding bullets in a public parking lot reinforced what all of us who live here know.  Our values and culture are our own and solidly ingrained in the make up of our bodies, minds, and spirits.  Nothing will change that or should aside from our willingness to let go as a people and grow in ways that may benefit us more than a long held belief.  As for gun ownership, I can guarantee that value will stay put for a good long while. 

The conference was well attended with youth and those supporting them from throughout and outside of the region.  The vibe was very upbeat and the conversations seemed energetic.  I attended a workshop on applying for grants through the Kentucky Foundation for Women, and I sat in on a panel discussing whether or not it is worth it to pursue higher education if you plan to remain in the mountains.  It seemed that even though we are all still very unsure about where the future in the mountains leads, we are hopeful.  As a parent, I'm more hopeful than I have ever been about the increasing opportunities for my daughters to broaden their outlook and express themselves to the world while being right here at home.  There was a time when we were considered an isolated and backward people, but that is quickly changing.  Our young people are making themselves known in a larger sphere.  

What I saw at IG2BYITM was dedicated youth.  The Ghandi quote that we always see in memes and even cheesy home decor - "Be the change you want to see in the world." - sums up what they are embodying.  If our youth want opportunities, they must create them.  With the support of those of us who came before, they will clear a path through this dense underbrush placed in their way by previous generations who latched on to mass culture and the perpetuation of misconceptions through the rest of the country.  Will we take on the mantle of the stereotypes and allow them to stand outside of the context with which they were bred, or will we use our uniqueness to bring about a time when mountain youth will be proud about their heritage and hopeful about their future here?
    

What the age of the internet has brought here is a way for the youth to connect with one another and organize in ways we couldn't do as readily when I was young.  Throughout the summer, I have seen multiple examples of inspiring youth centered projects and events.  While whether I will remain in the mountains for the entire duration of child-rearing or not is yet to be known.  What I do know is that if we stay, my daughters are going to be ok.  Just as our ancestors made-do with what they had, our young people are taking on the "do it yourself" attitude to create a more palatable environment for them here.  What future do we have without the young people's investment?  I urge all of us to support these efforts for all our sakes.  It's good to be young in the mountains if we want it to be.

Photos in this collage by Lacy Hale.