The Appalachian Regional Commission gives out grants to community groups willing to play a game of let’s you and me wait. Wait for what. There are no new ideas being formulated. The commission funds projects of “prosperity.” I knew when I started this project — My Appalachia — I would have lots and lots of angry monkey shit thrown at me. You’re going to what. Take your picture, smile. How dare they use the term prosperity. There IS no prosperity. I knew the PR would be thick with buzz words and rhetoric. But I had no idea. I have already started getting hate mail. Regarding a book that isn’t finished. I may have to move to different motels every night. Again. Some of these people are crazy. They really, authentically fear I will portray Appalachia in a bad light. I don’t have to do that. Appalachia will do it for me. The commission’s photography is of happy happy people working at their happy, happy jobs. Like there are jobs in Appalachia that pay more than minimum wage. It’s been minimum wage for 200 years. Investments supporting ecosystems. Five hundred million dollars has been spent by the Commission. Where is it. Where are these rich jobs. Where are these rich people. In their trailers. Rich trailers. Stand by your man. Give him two arms to cling to. Stand. By. Your man.
100,000 overdose deaths per year.
Appalachia is addicted.
Appalachia is death.
We have turned our backs on Appalachia.