Appalachia has been historically portrayed as a mysterious and dangerous area. Often, these ideas tie back to misinformation within media portrayals. Over time, creators have begun exploiting Appalachian culture to gain followers and money. Spreading misinformation creates negative stereotypes that are not only about the mountains but also about the people of Appalachia. Overall, this is very harmful to the area, drawing unwanted attention to the beautiful, not scary, mountains of Appalachia. Although it is tough to look past what is seen on TikTok, poorly made documentaries, or other media, this is crucial to understanding the true stories of the Appalachian Mountains. Try to understand that the only true stories about Appalachia are from the locals themselves.
