Visitors and homefolk alike often find themselves taken aback by the quaint townships that seem stuck in time; with charm and everyday courtesies that seem foreign to much of the modern world, Southwest Virginia is rich in humble beginnings and existence. Such humbleness often leaves one reflecting upon the refreshing nature of generaly kind-spirited folks. Yet, it is that same gentle humbleness that, when examined more deeply, becomes a self-depricating menace for some. I have wondered so many times over the years just why people in this area of Appalachia -- my people -- often do not seem to see thier own self-worth. The "less than" mentality can run quite deeply within a family and a community as a whole. This has reigned true in my own family. I set out to do a deep-dive of cause and effect. I found it necessary to examine the history of the region, particularly rooted in the coalfields, in order to draw my own conclusions. 

As I dug deep, I realized things that had eluded me previously, simply by nature of my lack of historical knowledge. The social and economic demographics of the area set the stage for a dominant commodity, coal; for a people who were desperate, destitute, and oppressed, generation over generation, into the present day and time, the mindset was engrained. This same mentality has transcended time, perhaps inadvertently, from parent to child. I have witnessed this time and time again, as multi-talented and skilled craftsmen often sell their goods for far less than their true value, if sold at all. Most do not envision a viable economic aspect, much less explore it; often these priceless artifacts are simply gifted, a gracious and heartfelt gesture, yet a missed capitalization opportunity for those who need it most. Many highly skilled makers simply regard their work as a hobby, with humble pride in their abilities. 

Others have overcome the social injustices of class, culture, and blue collar oppresion, with achievement in fields such as education, medicine, law, and business, without piety or remembrance of their humble beginnings. It is within the balance of pride and humbleness -- from the laborer to the classrooms, labs, and offices -- that future generations should find their purpose.