Aug. 3, 2008
COMMENTARY: Debunking Real News Seemingly Derived from the Plots of Slashing Horror Flicks
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Residents of the Mountain State have more than one area of sensitivity that reawakens stereotypes which most would like to relegate to a bottomless pit alongside the Gauley River.
Our Achilles heels include bare feet (a sign of poverty, rather than a trip for an expensive pedicure shown by expensive foot paddles), the interrelated “H” word ( slip in “Beverly” beforehand for a clue) and incestuous behaviors often relegated by city living Mountaineers to those parts of the state still unreachable without a 4-wheel drive up a dusty dirt road into a hollow.
Unfortunately, art often imitates life, and , while the actions of a couple brothers in “Wrong Turn” meet loud musket protests from the mouths of West Virginia’s more vehement defenders, the apparent motives of a few bring the credibility of a majority into the spotlight.
No disrespect intended for the victim and her family, but the horrendous killing of a Lincoln County social worker in an isolated section of Cabell County adds fodder for the national support of those same beliefs which underlie those horror romps contingent upon a quartet of attractive travelers lost in the woods.
Actually, 2008 has not been kind to the state. The abduction and torture of an African American woman in a trailer off the beaten path invoked cries for “hate crime” charges, pitting protests by personalities on a national stage against the resistance of certain in-state elected officials and some members of law enforcement.
Whenever a scriptwriter declares inspiration from one or more of the ‘stereotypes,’ the unwanted images flash on the screen. But, fewer writers will envision the state as a setting for rabid human behaviors, if the acts of a minority do not stay entrenched on the followers of journalistic reporting.
Instead of trashing the again exposed backsliding, the majority could act uniformly to offset the negative with good neighbor positives. Saturday’s celebration of “healing” block party in Fairfield and those who came together to rescue a trapped Dalmatian a year ago are just two examples.
Not all stereotypes about West Virginia have negative stigma. We’re, for instance, still on the Mason-Dixon line of southern hospitality and friendliness to strangers. Combine those with strong family values, a Christian heritage, and fabled work ethic.
Those are positives. Now, hide the moonshine still ( and sexy Daisy Mae posters), push your feet inside leather shoes (worn out hush puppies do not count) , and keep weapons (including slingshots ) out of sight when you see cameras rolling.
And, whatever you consider, do not ever, ever, ever contemplate gaining a few minutes of fame by imitating any of those bloody stand off statements that will not change anything as the ‘same ole, same ole’ continues without your proper First Amendment dissent.
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COMMENTARY: Debunking Real News Seemingly Derived from the Plots of Slashing Horror Flicks
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Residents of the Mountain State have more than one area of sensitivity that reawakens stereotypes which most would like to relegate to a bottomless pit alongside the Gauley River.
Our Achilles heels include bare feet (a sign of poverty, rather than a trip for an expensive pedicure shown by expensive foot paddles), the interrelated “H” word ( slip in “Beverly” beforehand for a clue) and incestuous behaviors often relegated by city living Mountaineers to those parts of the state still unreachable without a 4-wheel drive up a dusty dirt road into a hollow.
Unfortunately, art often imitates life, and , while the actions of a couple brothers in “Wrong Turn” meet loud musket protests from the mouths of West Virginia’s more vehement defenders, the apparent motives of a few bring the credibility of a majority into the spotlight.
No disrespect intended for the victim and her family, but the horrendous killing of a Lincoln County social worker in an isolated section of Cabell County adds fodder for the national support of those same beliefs which underlie those horror romps contingent upon a quartet of attractive travelers lost in the woods.
Actually, 2008 has not been kind to the state. The abduction and torture of an African American woman in a trailer off the beaten path invoked cries for “hate crime” charges, pitting protests by personalities on a national stage against the resistance of certain in-state elected officials and some members of law enforcement.
Whenever a scriptwriter declares inspiration from one or more of the ‘stereotypes,’ the unwanted images flash on the screen. But, fewer writers will envision the state as a setting for rabid human behaviors, if the acts of a minority do not stay entrenched on the followers of journalistic reporting.
Instead of trashing the again exposed backsliding, the majority could act uniformly to offset the negative with good neighbor positives. Saturday’s celebration of “healing” block party in Fairfield and those who came together to rescue a trapped Dalmatian a year ago are just two examples.
Not all stereotypes about West Virginia have negative stigma. We’re, for instance, still on the Mason-Dixon line of southern hospitality and friendliness to strangers. Combine those with strong family values, a Christian heritage, and fabled work ethic.
Those are positives. Now, hide the moonshine still ( and sexy Daisy Mae posters), push your feet inside leather shoes (worn out hush puppies do not count) , and keep weapons (including slingshots ) out of sight when you see cameras rolling.
And, whatever you consider, do not ever, ever, ever contemplate gaining a few minutes of fame by imitating any of those bloody stand off statements that will not change anything as the ‘same ole, same ole’ continues without your proper First Amendment dissent.
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
