Restless Native

“I don’t look at it from what I’d do different. That’s a rabbit hole that will continue on for eternity. There’s nothing I would have done different. As time goes on, it’ll just get more beautiful. It’s bigger than one person.”— Kris BentleyAppalachia has some fantastic contributions to this world. The music, food and arts that comes from those hills can be incredible.It’s also no stranger to anguish. I’m always interested by the lore that lives within Appalachia. Much of this history has hung around poverty. In the modern era, it seems the media only shows up when a northeast wind carries a tragic scent that smells like an opportunity to extort already burdened people for ratings and click bait. The media has essentially created poverty porn. A few years ago, photographer Bruce Gilden from Vice Media showed up to “document” Appalachia. What came out of it was essentially a witch hunt. And that’s not just my opinion. Another photographer who worked with Gilden on this shoot was especially conflicted about Gil