Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Hashtag Appalachia : Far More Than Just an Appalachian T - Shirt Company!


*Appalroot Farm was not financially compensated for this post.  Hashtag Appalachia provided a sample t-shirt in exchange for this honest review.*

What a time we seem to be in right now!  Our Appalachian people and culture have continually had to squirm under the thumb of stereotypes and negativity for...well, for what some might say feels like an eternity.  But every once in awhile it seems like the entire rest of the nation shines a big old spotlight on the region and Appalachia goes from a 'back of everyone's mind stereotype' to an 'on the forefront of the American conscience "trouble spot"' that everybody and his granny feels the need to dissect.  Problem is, by the time all that dissecting is through...and the nation turns its sights elsewhere, Appalachia is left standing in a muckier pile of stereotypes and negativity than before the nation shone its spotlight.  It happened with The War on Poverty in the 1960's, and it seems to be headed in that same direction now with all the analyzing of Appalachia in light of the recent elections.  Since these elections, social media has been all abuzz with articles pertaining to Appalachia and what makes it tick.  And the majority of the articles I have perused have shed anything but a positive light on the region, or held an accurate view of it.  So the rest of America will look, poke, prod, and remark until they have had their fill. Then they'll go on their merry way with nary a bit more enlightenment, but rather a heap more incorrect and over-exaggerated concept of who and what Appalachia really is. 

City Boy recently changed out some of the lighting in our home.  He put up these lights that are labeled 'high definition' on the packaging...but in reality they are just harsh, bright, and unflattering.  I'll tell you what, these lights would make a supermodel look bad!

High def lights!
That spotlight the rest of the country is shining on Appalachia right now is kind of like these lights.  It washes out the color and beauty from the region and culture and all folks see is the ugly.  And then they parade that 'ugly' through the media until everyone feels sorry for, disgusted by, and in shock over poor Appalachia (and secretly a lot less awful about their own 'dirty laundry')!

The whole thing kind of makes me think of John 1:45-46 in the Bible..."Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."

Now I'm not suggesting Appalachia has anything as grand as the Messiah...but it sure has some similarities to Nazareth in that there are many good things in it and coming out of it, that the rest of the world is either unaware of or overlooking. There is amazing tourism that is continuing to grow, a vibrant and living folk culture, a renewed interest in entrepreneurship, delicious and unique cuisine that is catching positive national attention, a powerful and inspiring history, artistic talent, and an agricultural renaissance replete with an enviable array of farmer's markets, etc.  And Appalachia has far more diverse, hard working, law and moral abiding, friendly and hospitable, creative, and well educated individuals than its critics or the media would have you believe.  Appalachia and dysfunction are not synonymous.  Appalachia is far from issue free, but Appalachia is NOT just issues!


I'm a firm believer that the best thing for Appalachia, as a culture and as a people, is to build on what is already good within Appalachia...rather than the age old approach of trying to spotlight what is wrong. Why?  Constantly tell someone what is wrong with them, and they will start to believe it and live in such a way.  Tell someone what is good within them, and they will rise to the occasion and even surpass most expectations others have of them. This focus on the positive has the potential to create a confidence and attitude that could inspire future generations of Appalachian youth to lead, flourish, and break negative molds within their communities. Negativity can be crippling.  And if analyzing the negative truly solved things, of all places, Appalachia would be a virtual utopia by now!

So what can we do?  What can the region as a whole do, what can we who consider ourselves Appalachians, either by birth or by roots and culture, do?  How can we counter all this negativity with things we know to be positive about Appalachia? I believe a good place to start is to be Philips in a world of Nathanaels.


Those of us who identify as Appalachians have got to speak up. We've got to share what we believe to be good about Appalachia with the rest of the world.  We've got to write the definition of Appalachia instead of allowing the ill informed to define who we are!


And that is why I am so excited in this post to tell you about an Appalachian based company that is currently doing just that...speaking up and defining Appalachia in a more positive way! The company is Hashtag Appalachia and it is located in the beautiful mountain town of Pikeville, Kentucky. Pikeville just happens to hold a lot of history for my own family as my mother and three of her siblings went to Pikeville College (now known as the University of Pikeville).  My parents even got married in Pikeville and made their first home in Belfry, around just 20 miles outside of the city of Pikeville.  So I just love that Pikeville is where Hashtag Appalachia is based.

My mother graduating from Pikeville College in Pikeville, Kentucky
The little Pikeville, Kentucky church where my parents were married
While Hashtag Appalachia is primarily known as a t-shirt company, I'm about to share with you why this business is so much more than that...

Hashtag Appalachia was originally started by two gentlemen: one a former Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce president, and the other an employee of Bit Source, a company in Pikeville that has hired and trained former coal workers to code and develop software. (If you have never heard of Bit Source, do yourself a favor and head over to their "media" page where you can read articles and see videos that convey Bit Source's inspiring story.) Here is the Hashtag Appalachia story in one of their own words...

"One of the owners at Bit Source, Rusty Justice gives a talk about our identity as hillbillies.  He talks about the things that are projected upon us, and how often times we accept those stereotypes.  In response to this, my friend...and I decided to start Hashtag Appalachia.  When we searched Appalachia on YouTube and Google, a lot of the top searches were really negative--with things like white ghetto, poverty, third world, etc.  We both knew there were a lot of positive things happening in Appalachia as well. So we started an effort to use the hashtag for Appalachia and make new content for the web that portrayed a people proud of their identity. The shirts were our first step--so we can wear something that even in a small way reflects our culture and who we are.  The idea is that if all the people in our region hashtag new content with positive portrayals of Appalachia--maybe we can change those stereotypes, and also reclaim our identity and be proud of who we are."  -Hashtag Appalachia

It was at a chamber of commerce event where together the two original owners first heard Rusty Justice's inspiring talk about this 'hillbilly identity' and were, in turn, inspired to launch Hashtag Appalachia.

Now don't you just love that? That is a cause worthy of getting on board with, folks!

Hashtag Appalachia also does creative marketing videos...and if you want a couple minutes of pure genius entertainment, check out their creative marketing piece video for McGuire's Brickhouse Restaurant located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky here. I enjoyed it more than most Super Bowl commercials!  And if watching it gets you craving one of those burgers from McGuire's Brickhouse, the restaurant's website is here.

Hashtag Appalachia's owner has even worked with educating high school students in design, and so has a passion for helping the youth of Appalachia as well.

Now back to those t-shirts...if you'd like to check out Hashtag Appalachia's selection of Appalachian t-shirts you can order online, head over to their website here. Their shirt selections range from simple ones that state  "#appalachia" to ones that contain witty Appalachian words and sayings including "Nary," "Over Yonder," "Pidlin," "Purdy," and "Rurnt."

You can order any of their shirts in a wide variety of colors. Hashtag Appalachia sent me one of their "Rurnt" saying shirts in an awesome shade of teal and I'm loving it!



If you like a soft and comfortable t-shirt, Hashtag Appalachia's selection will be right up your alley!  Nothing worse than a scratchy and uncomfortable t-shirt, and this shirt is far from that!




But I have to admit that I really just love it the most for the saying.  'Cause I guess I am kind of "rurnt!"


When you purchase a t-shirt from Hashtag Appalachia, you are purchasing more than just clothing.  You are helping support a grassroots mountain movement to dissipate stereotypes, fight distortions with truth, and inspire Appalachian youth to thrive and succeed while remaining true to their cultural identity. Once more, here is the link to Hashtag Appalachia's site: https://hashtagappalachia.com/.

I hope this post has inspired you to have pride in your own Appalachian roots, and has encouraged you to be "vocal" in some way about the positives that many of you know exist in the Appalachian culture and region.  Go buy a t-shirt from Hashtag Appalachia and wear it proudly, post something positive about Appalachia on social media, speak up for Appalachia when you hear someone stereotyping the culture, etc.  Whatever you choose to do, just remember that the 'Nathanaels' of the world are in need of a 'Philip' to tell them to "come and see" all the good that Appalachia has to offer.  They'll never know unless someone lets them know.  And in the end they may even thank you for it!

Blessings to you and yours!

59 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great web site! I’m loving it!! Will come back once again. I am book-marking your feeds additionally how to start a t-shirt business

    ReplyDelete
  4. If you are the host of a trade show or conference, printed polo shirts can be worn by your staff so that attendees can identify the people who are running the event. That's a horrible idea what time t-shirt

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unfortunately, it's obvious in their results; what could have been a fun t shirt design ends up being boring and amateur-looking.San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppollo t-shirt

    ReplyDelete
  6. Numerous individuals neither have room schedule-wise nor the inclination to plan their own artwork, thus denotes the ascent of the independent T-shirt architect.tees

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the pictures with this blog. My Gma use to say., "Outen the light" and "you dursent do that". I was not raised in your
    area but we come from "farm folk". Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. HASH Jeans with Bonds T-shirt (raglan cut T-shirt with ribbing around neck and sleeves), Rock Concert T-shirts (with a logo picture of a rock star or a rock band or trademark of rock band) and batman t-shirt.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates. t shirt printing houston

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a strikingly basic article.I basically wish to offer a creature proceed for the standard data you have perfect here on this post. embroidery houston

    ReplyDelete
  11. Also it is important to watch what they are wearing in your area so as to keep breast of the trends in your area. wikipedia reference

    ReplyDelete
  12. I read that Post and got it fine and informative. hashtagme India

    ReplyDelete
  13. I wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight. the tee shop

    ReplyDelete
  14. A blog that mushroomed from visual enlightenment.
    Depresident.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories. yoga clothes

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are some great tools that i definitely use for SEO work. This is a great list to use in the future.. Klasströjor

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very good written article. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts. womens distressed sweatshirt

    ReplyDelete
  18. The game plans can change by harvests and by contracting firms. The agreements might be for I) showcase bolster contracts are pre-gather understandings basically among firm and agriculturists to a specific arrangement of conditions for the deal and buy of the harvest. okra farming in Sheffield

    ReplyDelete
  19. I read that Post and got it fine and informative. Please share more like that... best yoga pants

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like viewing web sites which comprehend the price of delivering the excellent useful resource free of charge. I truly adored reading your posting. Thank you! Go Wild T-Shirt

    ReplyDelete
  21. Any organization can print their logo or brand name on shirts and other types of attire with the expectation of complimentary advertising each time an item is worn out in the open.https://www.redbubble.com/people/yetileti/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Extremely intriguing online journal. A lot of web journals I see nowadays don't generally give anything that I'm keen on, however I'm most definitely inspired by this one. Recently felt that I would post and let you know. go here

    ReplyDelete
  23. Accordingly, it's the nature of your logo structure that either makes you or breaks you.
    logo design service

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for sharing this valuable content. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before. grandma t-shirt

    ReplyDelete
  25. Who wouldn't want to get a heap of truly cool kids t shirts as an infant shower gift. Some extremely one of a kind unusual realistic shirts are sure to be the hit of the party.Babykledij 

    ReplyDelete
  26. When we purchase a sweatshirt, we always consider first how we look when are wearing it. What you do not know is there are other factors you need to consider first before making the final decision in buying them.create your own sweatshirt

    ReplyDelete
  27. Dashiki Store sale white dashiki shirts and black dashiki shirts which suitable for dashiki for men and dashiki womens. dashiki shirt

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is really nice to read content of this blog. A is very extensive and vast knowledgeable platform has been given by this blog. I really appreciate this blog to has such kind of educational knowledge. The fad of tailored t-shirts, or as it is much more typically recognized - the fad of published shirts or t-shirts. Printed t-shirts are very preferred amongst teenagers. tees for men

    ReplyDelete
  29. You might comment on the order system of the blog. You should chat it's splendid. Your blog audit would swell up your visitors. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! insta fashion

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much. father son shirts

    ReplyDelete
  31. Probably, few people actually know that it's a separate field of fashion industry. In fact, there is a great number of other professions and specialties in fashion including designing clothing, fashion design, fashion marketing, fashion merchandising, etc. The latter doesn't get worthy attention, but it is very important. Due to merchandising we have fashionable clothes in the shops and stores.

    embroidered fishing snapback hat

    ReplyDelete
  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Have you ever gone to a convention or an organized event wherein you find that everyone is wearing the same kind of shirt that bears the name of the company sponsoring it? Or, the t shirts designs could be the slogan or theme for that particular event? This is just an example of a customized t-shirt design wherein the organizers for the event have to get it made from a printing company that offers services for custom t shirts. Typography t-shirt design

    ReplyDelete
  34. How about a tee shirt with a beautiful, Custom Iron On Patches highly detailed black bear print coming out of the side seam? Or the t shirt with the illustration of a hypnotist? You are getting sleepy....These tees are so wonderful in their simplicity.

    ReplyDelete
  35. 50+ Print Ready and 100% Editable christmas t shirt design bundle. This bundle will make your t-shirt selling store and t-shirt designs stand out like never before.

    This bundle has 50+ premium unique designs in editable vector and printable formats that are perfect for t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and flyers. This editable and pixel perfect vector files you can adapt these t-shirt designs to any size. This Bundle Helps you to grow your online store. If you have an online t-shirts business this bundle can help you. This bundle is a fully new edition.

    ReplyDelete
  36. 50+ Print Ready and 100% Editable Halloween t shirt design bundle. This bundle will make your t-shirt selling store and t-shirt designs stand out like never before.

    ReplyDelete
  37. The inception of the this shirt has its causes in the mid nineteenth century and is broadly accepted to be a corresponding to the start of polo, the sport. visit this page

    ReplyDelete
  38. Fitted Cut: Definitions shift, but for the most part a fitted cut alludes to a cut that flatters the body. Utilized often in ladies' t-shirts, the center section of the shirt will be tighter than the top or bottom. Generally, the shirts run smaller than an essential full cut. black leather jacket mens

    ReplyDelete
  39. Google these terms underneath to ensure you pick the right pictures without falling into difficulty.
    silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  40. After reading this I thought it was extremely and very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together. Eligible citizens can apply for a visa for Turkey US citizen through a simple online application form to obtain an approved e-Visa electronically linked to their passport.

    ReplyDelete
  41. There will be 30 children going along and you need shirts to coordinate with the party topic.mens silk pajamas

    ReplyDelete
  42. I just wanted to thank you very much once again. Thank you for all your work on this website. You can easily apply to the kenya e visa express application system takes just 5 minutes to apply and within 30 minutes evisa kenya online Travel sends to your email.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Model Two! You have an outside occasion occurring around wellness. Your wellness club needs shirts with logos imprinted on the front and back just as the sleeves. silk robes for women

    ReplyDelete
  44. I appreciate your efforts . Ukraine tourist Visa allows several foreign nationalities to enter Ukraine for enjoyment and fun. It is a single-entry travel document.

    ReplyDelete
  45. thank you for Article, Amazing. tree removal

    ReplyDelete
  46. I read this article. I think You put a great deal of exertion to make this article. I like your work. www.suisuncitytreeservice.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Great job, this is good information  https://winchestertreecare.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Navigating through your post felt akin to meandering along the banks of a river of thoughts, each bend offering fresh perspectives to explore. The harmonious blend of lucidity and profundity rendered it a truly enriching expedition. Your narrative not only enlightened but also triggered a myriad of reflections within. I express my appreciation for planting the seeds of inquiry and nurturing curiosity. Departing with a bouquet of inspiration, I eagerly await future ventures into the realms of your discourse.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Reading this blog post was a delight. The nuanced way you describe human emotions and experiences is impressive. Your analysis is both thoughtful and deeply personal, which makes the content resonate on a profound level. I value how you present complex ideas in an accessible and engaging manner. I'm eager to read more of your work. Keep it up; your writing is clearly making a difference for many.

    ReplyDelete