Read on Twitter
1) A lot of negative vibes have come from the #HillbillyElegy book & #HillbillyElegyMovie I have to say as a Genealogist + Researcher, who are we to judge someone else's memoirs so harshly? This is based through @JDVance1 's eyes, not ours.
2) My family comes from #Appalachia, deep in the heart of #WestVirginia. My two branches of family do not share similar experiences: one went the way of drugs, the other went the way of migration. I see similarities between the book & my family.
3) If you take the politics out of Hillbilly Elegy, you come to find many truths: lack of decent jobs, poor education, hopelessness but also honor, pride and respect. There is a real struggle to survive, to better oneself. Don't discount the Hill ppl.
4) What the book does not do is answer HOW we fix the unemployment & drug dependency. Clearly, what is currently being done is not working. We are losing generations through drugs or migration to other States. The Brain Trust is leaving after graduation.
5) Appalachia needs better jobs. Coal & industry can not be the only answers. Bring in more tourism, movie industry, tech jobs, car manufacturing, etc. Don't just give Appalachians menial jobs with no hope, low pay & no advancement. State Commerce Depts are being lazy.
6) If you hated the movie, there's good reason. No way the movie showcased the nuances of the book. It tried, it failed. We need to stop critizing the book/movie and start finding answers. The book opened the door for that conversation.
