by Jaden of the Cleanup Crew
The “scary” part of Appalachia
For many people outside of the Appalachian region, Appalachia is often portrayed as scary, dangerous, or even mysterious. TikToks, movies, and stories have set the narrative that the Appalachian Mountains are filled with danger, strange traditions, or hostile mountain people. These portrayals reinforce the idea that Appalachia is different than the rest of the country in a more threatening way. This image says more about outside perceptions than it does about the people who actually live there.
The Appalachian region spans part of 13 states and is home to millions of different cultures, backgrounds, and communities. Like any other region, there are both rural and urban areas, diversity, and a wide variety of lifestyles. However, when most think of the “scary” stereotype, it often focuses on the central areas of Appalachia. Often focusing on remote communities and exaggerating them to create a sense of mystery or danger. When stereotypes such as these are repeated often enough, they begin to shape how outsiders view the region.
Media and the creations “scary Appalachia.”
The media plays a large role in creating the image of Appalachia as a frightening place. Films, “documentaries,” and TikTok often highlight isolation, poverty, or violence to gain publicity. A well-known example of these ideas is the documentary Stranger with a Camera, which tells the story of a filmmaker who traveled to eastern Kentucky in the 1960s to document poverty in the area.
Although Stranger with a Camera explores a real historical event, it shows how tension can develop when an outsider comes into a community with cameras and assumptions about what they will find. Stories that only focus on conflict or hardship can unintentionally make a place feel more dangerous than it really is. When audiences repeatedly see these portrayals, they may start to believe the region is dangerous.
In addition to the documentaries and films, the internet has also played a role in spreading this misinformation. Online stories and social media threads often speak about “things you shouldn’t do in Appalachia” or about the folklore of mysterious creatures living in the deepest depths of the mountains. While most of these stories are meant to entertain, they still reinforce the idea that Appalachia is dangerous, an eerie or threatening place, rather than a normal region where people live their everyday lives.
The reality of Appalachia from the perspective of a native
I have lived in Appalachia for my entire life. The truth is, Appalachia is not as scary as it is normally portrayed in the media. The communities are places where people raise families, go to school, work, and support one another, just like everywhere else in the United States. As I got older, I have traveled and seen how other communities operate and treat others around them. Many Appalachian communities are known for being close-knit and having a strong sense of community, and I have not seen this in many places I have traveled to.
One of the most common misconceptions I see is that the mountains themselves add to the region’s mysterious reputation. Dense foliage and winding backroads, with no streetlights, can feel unfamiliar to people used to living in large cities or suburban areas. However, these attributes are just natural features of the environment, not a sign of danger. The mountains are a source of beauty, culture, and traditions, not something to fear.
Why does this matter?
Portraying Appalachia as a scary or mysterious place may seem harmless, especially when used for entertainment or in online stories. However, these stereotypes can have real consequences. When people hold inaccurate ideas about a region, it can affect how they treat people from there. Students, workers, and families from Appalachia may face unfair discrimination due to others believing the stereotypes they have seen online or in the media.
These portrayals also divert attention from the real stories in the region. Appalachia has a rich cultural heritage that includes music, stories, crafts, and deep connections with the mountains themselves. The stories people use for publicity often overshadow the true beauty of Appalachia.
Although it is tough to look beyond what you see online, challenge yourself to find the truth about the region. Listen to the voices that have lived the truth of being an Appalachian. Appalachia is not a place to fear, but rather an area to learn from.
Figure 2, The pinnacles in Berea, Kentucky.
Works Cited
A presentation of Appalshop Films; produced by Appalshop; producer and director, Elizabeth Barret. Stranger with a Camera. Whitesburg, Ky.: Appalshop Films, 2007.