Upon first hearing the term “Affrilachian”, I am plagued by this sort of confusion and curiosity. What is this bizarre term? Is it even real? What does it mean? Is it an actual region? What is it? Questions whirled about in my skull, ignoring my pleas to stop and settle. Seeing no other option than to give in, I turned to the pathway to unravel this term. I stumbled upon this article about this man, Frank X. Walker, who came up with this name to cover all African-Americans in the Appalachian region. Once I was satisfied with this discovery, I moved along to the next stop in my assignment: actually read a poem by an Affrilachian poet.

Already, I knew that I could draw from the poems by Frank X. Walker, but I wanted to expand. So I chose a poem by Paul C. Taylor simply because I enjoyed it a lot and have this obsession with executions. I love how in his poem, Taylor shows how an execution may not always be televised or broadcasted in such a manner but it will be heard about.

~Chandra

http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/paul/index.html

Alrighty, sorry in advance for the long post. These photos were taken a few weeks ago, when we had our first (and only, so far as I can remember) significant snow this year. They were taken in Oak Grove Cemetery here in Morgantown. It was something like eighteen degrees with strong winds, so I really didn't stick around long.
                                                                                               -Emma

                                                 

http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/kelly/index.html

Raised by Women by Kelly Norman Ellis is my favorite Affrilachian poem avaliable on Coal Black Voices. It shows an interesting perspective of a woman raised by the women in her African American family. The women described by Ellis in the poem are the strong, stereotypical African American women often depicted in movies and other media. One example is:

Some big legged
High yellow, mocha brown
Hip shaking
Miniskirt wearing
Hip huggers hugging
Daring debutantes
Groovin
"I know I look good"
Type of Women.

It is these type of women who shaped Ellis. Her poem seems to accurately describe what a Southern livestyle is like. I really recommend this poem as well as others on the website. They're really interesting to read.

- Falyn

Coal Black Voices gives a fresh, interesting perspective on both Appalachian and African American culture. These poems take influence from the Harlem Rennaisance and contemporary issues, but rather than the typical urban cultural centers or rural far South, these poems show a glimpse of the lives of blacks in rural and suburban Kentucky, a rarely heard viewpoint; many are not even aware of the existance of an African American community there. Many of my classmates have already posted some of the best poems, but here are a few more of my favorites:
http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/kelly/index.html Kelly Norman Ellis - "Raised by Women"
http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/frank/healer.html Frank X Walker -  "Healer"
http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/paul/index.html Paul C Taylor - "The Execution Will Not Be Televised"
PS: Definitely watch the videos of the poets reading their poems if you get a chance. They're fantastic.

-Eliana

Shana L. Smith “rooted”:  http://coalblackvoices.com/poets/shanna/index.html 

In her poem Shana references a myriad of civil rights activists, all of whom are female. The tough women will her forward, aiding her mentally as she prepares to do something- she never specifies what.

She hears the voices of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Fannie Lou Hamer, and they afford her no mercy as they whip her into shape, informing her of all those who’ve come before her and paved her way. She has to rise up and meet their standards so that all they have done will not have been in vain.

Though I’m a little removed from the issues of African Americans and know nothing of what it must be like to be African American, I feel some of the same pressures as Shana because I’m also a female. I think that’s why I liked this poem so much: All of her mentors are strong women. Being female, I mustn’t give into stereotypes, I must do everything to the best of my ability, and prove all of those who doubt me wrong, or else they’re right. And they’re not right.

                                                                                                                                                                -Emma

Ricardo Nazario-Colon

I took a look at the poem We Raised You by "Affrilachian" poet Ricardo Nazario-Colon, an Appalachian resident and Hispanic and African American descendant. The poem has Spanish words and phrases mixed in, which I mostly understood, but I had to define one of the cultural terms used: griots, which are oral storytellers that travel in groups and carry West African tales. This detail is important in fully understanding the poem, for the majority of We Raised You is written as a recital of a story Nazario-Colon was told by a griot, who he addresses as a female and his griot.

It ended with the TUCO on the yard
and the twenty country feet long
father GONE…
After! A three hour PRAYER
of SALVATION.

The above stanza really captures the tone in the poem. Storytellers are known for not only their stories but how good they tell them with their ability to emphasize details appropriately and keep a tight hold on listeners' attention. Nazario-Colon locks the passionate voice of the griot in his poem. If the poem was written as,

"It ended with the tuco on the yard
and the twenty country feet long
father gone
after a three hour prayed of salvation,"

it's obvious how much dimmer it would be. Such a style would be fine for other messages in poetry to be conveyed, but not for the griot's story and her expression for the feelings toward her culture.

Taryn

Affrilachian Poetry

Affrilachia, a term dedicated solely to African Americans, is engraved with the brutal discrimination yet awe-inspiring perseverance they withstood for centuries, some of which said conflicts, are still heavily prevalent in today's society, yet at a lesser magnitude. Symbolizing uniqueness, a sense of power, and hisorical truth, African Americans, an example, Frank X Walker, who coined the idea of Affrilachia in a powerful poem, dedicate their cultural background, their voices, and most importantly their history through poetry. Through poems, we as a society may start to identify with the reality of what African American poets personal accounts were like during segregation and slavery; we get to see, through their eyes written down, how these poets viewed the world. Poetry can be incredibly powerful if, and only if, you can come to terms with the raw, deep-rooted meaning behind its words.

                                                                                        -Leah

Voices From Affrilachia

These Affrilachian poets are the peak of history and culture in Appalachia.  These poets see the world through a different perspective. Coal Black Voices, as they are called, give a new layer to the richness of the Appalachian region. The poet 'Bernard Clay, puts a whole different spin on the city life in a small town. He describes the public transportation system and how different people interact with it. He puts a derogatory spin to this public service but at the same time he enlightens the reader of how an "Affrilachian" town really functions. This poet was my favorite because he tells it like it is in a way that is appealing to the senses and at the same time offensive to the senses. I especially liked the way it flowed. The grammar choices went along with the projected tones of the poem. The words captured his emotions and feelings. Great stories overall!!
-Todd

Affrilachian Literature

Affrilachain poets are unique in the sense that they discuss topics that most writers from Appalachia are never caught writing about. Not many people know that they even exist due to the stereotypes that surround Appalachia. Stll they are very important to the region and shouldn't be thrown aside, their work is just as meaningful as that of white writers.

And I still ride the tarc by Bernard Clay is probably one of my favorite poems by an Affrilachian writer. I really like how well the poems flow and it kept me interested the entire time I was reading it. The poem is about his experience on the TARC buses that are the public transportation in Louisville, Kentucky. Public transportation isn't something I see many white writers talking about, and its refreshing to see how it is seen.

I'm intrigued by Affrilachian writers to say the least. Just this short exposure to their writing has made me begin thinking about what other minority writer groups there are that never get much attention. To me poetry is a sort of story telling, and with storytelling there can never be enough storeies. Who knows how many more stories we could be exposed to if we read more from minority poets.

Some things I like about Morgantown

Most of all, I like walking here. I like hiking too, but really I like just walking around. It's fun to walk here because there are hills everywhere and because it is very beautiful. Even the little suburban streets and houses in my neighborhood are beautiful. Not in any particularly spectacular way, but passing by the houses seems to give a small glimpse of the lives of the people there. Of course, there is natural beauty. The forest that once covered the region is still here in patches and thinned spots, some larger than others. There are places that with the exception of a trail being made, have been left to the woods. It's like a temperate rainforest. In these places, the autumn leaves cover the ground year long. When it's warm, there are flowers and a green canopy that gives shade. The sun through the top layer of leaves seen from below is one of the most strikingly beautiful things I've ever seen. It's the sort of fleeting and mundane beauty that can't be captured with photographs because part of what makes it beautiful is the fact that you're seeing it. The skies here, in the early morning and evening, also have that sort of beauty. Every day that I see the purples, pinks, blues, and oranges; the clouds that resemble brush strokes, I'm moved and I understand why people would paint the sky or photograph it. But if I did, especially if I did it every time I felt like it, it would just be one sky among so many that are fundamentally the same.
I digress.
There is also man made beauty. The most beautiful things here are old, like the old bridges and the old brick buildings downtown. For a long time I never even looked up and didn't notice that most of these buildings were brick. Some of them still have metal signs near the top saying what they used to be for, which is sort of charming. Somehow, for me, the urban decay that downtown has undergone is also charming. The graffiti and destruction and dilapidation in some parts, I guess I like it. To digress once more, recently I went up a fire escape on a building near Walnut Street, which is sort of a back street (it was a building behind buildings), because I had always wanted to go on one and see the view. While on it, I saw graffiti on a neighboring building, also a building behind buildings. It said "I remember playing the violin." It could only be seen from that fire escape or the lower roof of that building.
On the borders of the Rail Trail, there are industrial constructs, buildings as well as things like pipes, some dilapidated, some not, all of which are sort of ugly, but they somehow mesh so well with the nature and become wonderful. It's sort of like the houses, they seem to give a small glimpse of other people's lives.
The town and region as a whole don't really have a lot of people and are sort of solitary. This is something that I personally like.
Immersed in beauty and solitude and in constant motion, you can both lose and find yourself. You can remember and forget, at the same time. It all leaves you, and it's very pleasant. That is why I like walking here, and I guess that is why I like it here.
Another thing I really like are the locally owned businesses here, mostly food, especially the bakeries. I can reach most of them from home or school through walking or public transportation, which is really nice. I have pleasant memories of afternoons walking downtown eating gelato or a baguette, and feeling very happy and somehow cosmopolitan.
I never really thought about how much I like it here, actually. This isn't even everything I like, and in truth, I sort of like everything. Who'd have thought.
-Eliana

My Interest in West Virginia

More often than not, the distant on-lookers do not take the time to learn and more importantly, appreciate, West Virginia's rich history, of which, I personally find the most attractive characteristic of this state, aside from the incredible, mesmerizing beauty that always knocks the wind out of me each time Icatch a glimpse of the leaves changing their shades of green to a breathtaking aesthetic of red, yellow, and orange each fall.Nevertheless, it is the history behind what has pioneered our workforce and our annual income for decades upon decades hat has caught my attention. What is it, you may ask? I'll give you a hint, Matewan. Not to discredit any one's intelligence but in the slight chance that you have not figured out what this blog is about, I'm talking about the prosperous, yet dangerous coal mines! Before enrolling in my Appalachia class, I knew very little about the history West Virginia, but I had an eye-opening experience when my teacher, Joel, popped in a movie, entitled Matewan. The movie struck me deep in my core, made me want to learn more about coal mines, where they started, who founded coal, and many other facts that were completely unknown to me. So, I took intiative and researched these facts, almost all of them being new information for me. Did you know that fifty-three of the fifty-five counties in WV have coal in their landscape, or did you know that Mcdowell County has produced more coal than any other county in this state? I guess I am trying to persade and strike interest in you to want to learn and develope a greater appreciation for WV's history. I know I have a lot more to learn about WV and I am ready and willing.

                                                                                                                                        -Leah

Cityscape

I adore the vast natural beauty in West Virginia and the scenic routes anyone can take on a day when they need relaxtion, whether it be simply the Rails to Trails or Dorsey's Knob. I visit these places occasionally, but there's no place that has influenced me more than the town I wake up to every morning.

When I was younger I used to think Morgantown appeared somewhat rundown and trashy becaues of the older buildings it had in parts of town. Sometimes it would be a house on the side of the street with vines crawling up the stained outter walls behind a weedy terrace; then there would be the old stores in town with sun-faded signs and washed out facades. I really resented these traits, especially when I compared them to the beautiful, always new and fresh cities and towns I'd visit on vacations. I had overlooked the originality of my own town's unique beauty.

Such was an unfair comparison anyhow; taking a look at other towns I've traveled through that aren't trying to keep a reputation as a popular tourist attraction, not so much is different. An aged, wise feel is shared by  a few worn down buildings and old stores. Morgantown has been clearing space for new apartments to help sustain the college students that flock here each new semester, and the sidewalks downtown have recently been replaced. But there are enough old stores and buildings that have collected nuance over the years to keep alive Morgantown's wise little spirit.

Something else that I have admired over the years -- and admittedly taken for granted because I've lived here my entire life -- is the PRT system. Along with that, the bus system as well -- so many places are reachable by some form of public transportation; it makes the town feel smaller and connected. The enclosure of my school in the city contributes to this because downtown is just a few minutes walk away. Though I'm generally an introveretd person, I find the knowledge comforting that the world full of busy people plowing through their day is outside my window.

I love the feeling of a town that really flows together. Morgantown contains that. Those big cities people admire so much lose that sense; they're fun to visit, but despite how huge their size and population are, they're lonely.

Taryn

A Call From Appalachia

                I’ve traveled along this land. I’ve gone to the North, down to the South, over plains, to lakes so great, to the ocean on the other side, and to a place in between. Granted, I never got to explore every niche and crevice to be found, nor have I had the chance to unravel all the mysteries of the earth. However, that is no matter. No land I’ve ever set foot on has ever caused something so strong to reverberate through my bones than that of Appalachia.

                What is it about this land that brings to life a humming in my marrow? Every hill, every mountain, every little inch has an old soul. Once upon a time, the mountains were young and proud, but, like all things, time eased them to an age of wisdom and a time to nestle down for rest. The trees position themselves everywhere, even in the cement of the small cities. They show no fear of people. The woods are peaceful, undisturbed, welcoming to all who belong with an ocean of natural wonder. The people have this sturdiness, this overwhelming aura of a race rather ancient, this almost indescribable nature to them that is different from the vast assortment all over. The old ways of life are not just grains lost in the tree of life. No, they are still flowing in the stems, the leaves, the trunk, and all throughout this immortal growth. Appalachia is alive and not forgotten in its lifestyle; Appalachia is a home to all, with plenty to go around. What is there not to love? What is there not to admire? What about it will not warm one’s soul?

~Chandra

There isn’t a place in this town, or this state, or probably the tri-state area where a little green cannot be found during all seasons. Even under heavy snow, sparse patches of grass will survive and display their colors proudly, refusing to be beaten down by the brutal cold. Evergreens stand in abundance, rivaling the snow and ice and serving as reminders that winter cannot last forever, and that, come springtime, lush foliage will once again envelop the land and swallow it whole.

When that time finally arrives, the possibilities are endless. Just a few miles from the city’s heart in any direction, a sanctuary that seems light-years away from civilization can be found and enjoyed. Flowers, ferns, mosses, and weeds are delightful companions on the forest floors. Centuries-old trees adorned with vines and poison oak tower above and create a roof overhead. Invisible critters scurry beneath the brush and scare you breathless, and ever-happy birds chat back and forth.

The greatest thing of all is that a  human can stay out in the wild a while and feel completely and utterly alone- but never lonely.

                                                                                             ~Emma                                                                                                                                               

What I Like About Appalachia

For those of us who live in Appalachia, it is nice to sometimes lean back and take in all that is around us.  West Virginia is known for quite a few things, one of which being the beautiful mountains that can be seen by looking in almost every direction. Not to mention all of the vast rolling hills, manicured farmland, and a deep, rich history that is almost embedded into the very soil. This makes WV the perfect spot for those who enjoy gorgeous landscapes. Whether a person considers themself a professional sightseer, or even if they have lived here their entire life, it is difficult not to be amazed by all of the beauty that is around.

Something that is quite unique about the Appalachian area is, of course, the weather. This is the only place I have ever heard of that can go from 60 degrees one day, to about 20 the next, along with half a foot of snow. The weather is quite unpredictable, which I consider to be quite pleasant. I get full wear of my wardrobe almost year round, in an attempt to tackle whichever element the sky throws at us. In Appalachia, every day is an adventure; you never quite know what to expect.

                                                               - F.

Magical Places of Appalachia

Too many times the region and cities of Appalachia are looked down on and despised. These on-lookers do not realize the charm and beauty of this mysterious place. One place I find the most astounding beauty is on the way to Moorefild WV in Hardy county. The scenic route that is the way me and my family take to travel, to the new highway that was put in, is one of the most beautiful drives that I have been on especially in autumn. If you do not take the highway you get even more beautiful scenery. My most memorable part of the scenic trip is the mountains and the freshwater springs.  A little mountain bypass that me and my family take called Greenland Gap is just simply remarkable.  Picture if you will a smooth, paved road without lines to distract you, curving, flowing around the mountain and running right beside the most picturesque stream.  This stream in not a little tricke of a typical babbling brook, is is a full fledged stream with magnificent, white, flowing watterfalls and it contains multiple routes the water has cut through the rocks.  This is the best part of this area, but this mountain cut would not be the tranquil place it is without the further description of the environment around it. This place surrounding is the ideal place for a mountain getaway if there was lodging anywhere around it.  The road that winds through the Gap is just about enveloped by trees and lush foliage. On a sunny day the trees create the best abstract patterns on the road and stream. On the other side of the stream there is a rock wall, that in itself, shows hundreds of years of history. This wall is diagonally layered and filled with crags where trees have grown out and up to contibute to the enclosement of the valley. This mountain pass is the the most mystical and magical place I have ever been through. This, in my opinion, is the best part of Appalachia.

                                                                                                                                -Todd

I love where I live

I was born and raised in what is now one of the largest cities in West Virginia. That's correct, it is an actual state, contrary to popular belief. While I was still growing up from a child, I never truely realized just how lucky I was to be living in such a town. Trips to the mall to go shopping for clothes, or making Friday night trips out to eat were some of the small things I'd learn to appreciate from my home. Being that it was a college town, I went to school with one of the most diverse groups of people I have ever seen. Blacks,Asians, Hispanics, and of course Whites were only a few of the many racial groups that were present. There was never a short supply of things to do around town either, whether it was simply taking a drive somewhere or going to the ice skating rink, you could never consider yourself bored. The first time I was able to grasp the special situation of my home was when my family decided to go camping at North Bend state park, which was located adjacent to the town of Harris, West Virginia. Harris was a bustling town that had such great features such as a single BP gas station, and a family dollar. The sheer lack of anything civilized was a complete shock to me. I not once saw anyone else of any other racial group. Everything was closed at exactly 5PM, so we were stuck eating at camp for most of our stay. When we finally got back home it really made me realize just how much I love where I live. It is the perfect mix of civilization and appalachia, one that allows me to have dinner past 5PM. It is the perfect balance betweeen busy and calm, and one of the few places in appalachia that you will reguarly see people from different races. Morgantown is truely an anomly in appalachia, and I love it.