Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
(Booker T.) Washington, DC: District of Columbia, District of Affrilachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
I propose to discuss connections Washington, DC, has to Appalachia. As a resident of DC, I will explain how I began my exploration of this nation's capital as Appalachian through the geographical connection with images from “scenic overlooks” from the National Cathedral, Malcom X/Meridian Hill Park, and Arlington Cemetery, as well as the spatial relationship to the Virginia and Maryland foothills. On making this simplest connection, I will move to discuss whether the city exhibits any of the cultural hats Appalachians wear. I intend to talk about the ARC and who and how they chose their Appalachian counties, using an email conversation I had with Frank X Walker several years ago to argue racist practices excluded areas because of large black populations. On top of that, given DC’s historical issue with mis- and under-representation concerning the city’s lack of a governor and other prominent political offices that states are afforded again brings up racist practices of the federal government to dis-empower black people. Making these connections will lead me to argue that the city exhibits a geographical connection to the Appalachian region, but in terms of a culture I will display an Affrilachian connection and discuss the differences between Appalachia and Affrilachia through deconstructing “Appalachia” in a postmodern and postcolonial theoretical perspective. This presentation aims to examine Appalachia in an engaging futuristic and sustaining manner for this turbulent and confusing opening to the twenty-first century, much in the same way this year’s conference will challenge Appalachia as Asheville has.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
A native of Matney, North Carolina, Forrest Yerman lives in Washington, DC, where he is a PhD student in the Department of English at Howard University. He received his BA in Creative Writing and MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University, but not before busting his chops for minimum wage in various service jobs. Research interests include black culture in Appalachia, primarily through, but not limited to, the works of the Affrilachian Poets.
(Booker T.) Washington, DC: District of Columbia, District of Affrilachia
I propose to discuss connections Washington, DC, has to Appalachia. As a resident of DC, I will explain how I began my exploration of this nation's capital as Appalachian through the geographical connection with images from “scenic overlooks” from the National Cathedral, Malcom X/Meridian Hill Park, and Arlington Cemetery, as well as the spatial relationship to the Virginia and Maryland foothills. On making this simplest connection, I will move to discuss whether the city exhibits any of the cultural hats Appalachians wear. I intend to talk about the ARC and who and how they chose their Appalachian counties, using an email conversation I had with Frank X Walker several years ago to argue racist practices excluded areas because of large black populations. On top of that, given DC’s historical issue with mis- and under-representation concerning the city’s lack of a governor and other prominent political offices that states are afforded again brings up racist practices of the federal government to dis-empower black people. Making these connections will lead me to argue that the city exhibits a geographical connection to the Appalachian region, but in terms of a culture I will display an Affrilachian connection and discuss the differences between Appalachia and Affrilachia through deconstructing “Appalachia” in a postmodern and postcolonial theoretical perspective. This presentation aims to examine Appalachia in an engaging futuristic and sustaining manner for this turbulent and confusing opening to the twenty-first century, much in the same way this year’s conference will challenge Appalachia as Asheville has.
