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Well, that certainly sounds like an awe-inspiring, admirable mission. However, I am a bit intimidated by the language here. I assume that "interdisciplinary" means that CSA and its subordinate wing, the "Majesty of Mountain Heritage Program" (impressive title!) intends to pull all of the stops. Murals, dancing and storytelling! Not to mention the unveiling of a "creative and self-esteem curriculum!!"
I'm going to need a little help here, I'm afraid. This sounds like someone is going to teach us how to be artistic as well as "proud to be Appalachian."
In addition, there will be genealogy studies and music that will "help inspire a sense of place and community pride." I need to ask for a bit of indulgence here since I don't know what this means. I get the feeling that this is a complex undertaking and maybe the strategy is so sophisticated, it is beyond the understand of an untaught regional resident.
After looking up the word "primordial" as in "primordial nature scene," I would venture to guess that the proposed mural will depict Jackson County as it appeared in prehistoric times. If that is the first mural, what will come next? If the murals progress chronologically, will they move from the Paleolithic to the space age? Is this panorama in the Jackson County Courthouse or does it wind its way throughout the county?
Murals I have seen in the past are often located in public buildings - libraries, post offices, universities, etc. I get the feeling that these murals are outside. If so, how are they different from billboards? Has CSA acquired facilities and appropriate settings for this artistic work? I also wonder who will paint the murals, maintain (and preserve) them, compose the music, write the instructive manuals, teach the courses in self-esteem?
After reading Ms. Almaraz's column several times, I conclude that it implies (suggests) the existence of massive resources which do not, in fact, exist. The Smithsonian may indeed house more than 142 million items of historic significance, but it seems unlikely that a museum housed in the Jackson County Courthouse would (as an affiliate) have access to those items.
What are we really getting from the Smithsonian or they from us? Although there may be a document that sets forth the existence of "a new cultural alliance" with the Cherokees, that does not mean that our museum (or CSA) will share exhibits. Is it possible that they are merely "endorsing" or approving CSA's intentions?
Where is all this going? What is the ultimate goal of this project, which is being announced with such grandiose and imprecise language? Will both visitors to Sylva and our local residents eventually become part of a "living history" town filled with murals painted in glowing chartreuse and pink that depict our cultural and tradition? Will we all file through the Jackson County Courthouse, staffed by CSA personnel, and buy the helpful manuals which "explain" our culture and traditions to us?
Let me conclude by saying this: I am very proud of my mountain heritage and I value any medium that depicts it with integrity and authenticity. I am always distressed by stereotypes that portray mountain culture in a negative way, but I am equally distressed by attempts to describe it unrealistically. I have always valued books, drama, painting, music and movies that reveal Appalachia "warts and all."
An Appalachia that is highly romanticized and filled with sentimentality, saccharine-sweet language and pastel images is as offensive as the one-dimensional characters on "The Beverly Hillbillies." If CSA and the Majesty of Mountain Heritage can show me an obtainable project that is rooted in our heritage as it is (and was) lived and experienced by my ancestors, they have my support.
If not, the Jackson County commissioners should be advised that there are other ways to preserve our way of life.
At present, a number of gifted scholars and professional researchers are at work collecting and preserving our mountain heritage. All of them are approachable and many of them are native to the region. Their approach would not be filled with bugles and bombast, but the results would be grounded in honesty and professionalism.
There are dozens of small grants available that would utilize scholars, mindful of our heritage who would enter into joint efforts to collect and display our heritage in an appropriate context. Most of them are dedicated and qualified. Even now, small towns throughout this region are using them to collect, preserve and display regional history.
Administrators of a project under way in Graham County's Snowbird community have expressed an interest in interviewing Jackson County residents and working with local organizations to film, record and otherwise preserve our tradition. And they would do it without "smoke and mirrors." There would be no grandiose gestures and dramatic fanfares. They would simply complete exhibits, displays and oral history projects efficiently and competently - and all with the cooperation and assistance of the community.
As I said in the beginning, I merely want my culture depicted with integrity and honesty.
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Carden