One thing that really saddens me about the loss of this summer is I benefit so much from my Appalachian writing community and the pulse of the region, and there is a lot happening in this country that we as a group of writers MUST ACKNOWLEDGE. We as young ppl in Appalachia

must educate ourselves and our community about our role in the oppressive history of this country even as we seek to revitalize the place we love. We are not victims only. Appalachian history must divest itself of its bleached white roots and acknowledge the communities of color

that called these mountains home. Otherwise we will continue to give an out to every closet white supremacist who wants to gather on Grandfather Mtn to celebrate his "Scottish heritage."