Mountaineer

Do you think West Virginia has been able to hang onto our traditions and way of life to a greater degree than other states? If so, why?

Although I don't have enough knowledge of other states' cultures to say that West Virginia has retained its traditions more than any other state, I do believe that we have a very strong sense of tradition. This is partly because many West Virginians were born and raised within the state. Perhaps the reason for this is our traditionally close family relationships. People who have lived here may not want to leave the state because they prefer to stay close to their families. Another reason for the prevalance of tradition is that the threat of urbanization or industrialization is low. Geographically, West Virginia is difficult to industrialize. The landscape would not permit the type of construction that other states have undergone without great difficulty and expense. Therefore, West Virginia culture and tradition is maintained because much of it is staying within the state, while little change is coming in.

People often ridicule what they fear or don't understand. What should be our attitude toward outsiders that misunderstand our way of life?

I think that a very common misconception which seems to exist nationally is that education and intellectualism are separate from that which is natural. Cultures which are tied to the land are often perceived as lacking the formal education which has become the more respectable type of knowledge in today's society. In order to change outsider's minds, I believe two things must be done. Formal education should become more important to West Virginians as well. Because it has become a national standard for success, our students must be given an equal opportunity to succeed. In this way, many West Virginians must change their attitude toward intellectualism and understand the importance of becoming educated individuals. On the other hand, outsiders must also be shown the importance of practical knowledge. West Virginia culture has maintained skills which have been lost in much of the country due to industrialization. This knowledge should be given equal respect as that which can be obtained from schools and books.