Towers East program focuses on West Virginia culture and history

Twin Towers East residents had the chance to learn about West Virginia's history in a program jokingly called "Rednecks and Hillbillies."

Marshall's Residence Hall Association is offering several programs this semester on cultural diversity.

Scott Carson, a junior from Cincinnati and 11-th floor resident adviser at Twin Towers East, conducted a cultural diversity program called "Rednecks and Hillbillies" for dorm residents Wednesday night in the 1st floor study lounge.

"I want people to know about the culture and I wanted to give a different perspective," he said.

Lynda Ewen, a sociology professor at Marshall, was the guest speaker.

She talked about the stereotypes of West Virginians and others from the Appalachian area.

"We are depicted as backward, ignorant and lazy," Ewen said.

She also talked about some of the positive things about living in West Virginia and the Appalachian area.

"West Virginia has the lowest homeless rate per capita in the country," Ewen said. "West Virginians are loyalty to the area and family."

Ewen also discussed the state's history.

"In the 1920s and 1930s, the Coal Miner's Union helped organize the CIO and they organized steel, auto rubber and glass in the 1920s and 1930s," Ewen said. "They also organized worker's compensation and the eight hour work day."

Ewen discussed how in the early 1970s the Black Lung Association fought the federal government to get compensation for coal miners.

Ewen said people can find more information about Appalachian culture at www.marshall.edu/csega/.