Black in Appalachia = Affrilachia

Danville, Ky., native Mr. Walker, an artist, arts administrator and activist, looked up the definition of “Appalachian” in his dictionary. He read that Appalachians are “white residents of the mountainous regions of Appalachia” and, says Mr. Walker, “I knew I could never be part of the great body of Appalachian literature, since I didn’t fit the definition.” Then he asked himself what the face of Appalachia was. He saw many commonalities. Appalachians of Kentucky share a heritage of tobacco, horses and bourbon, of love for land and family. They share the concerns that come with everything that is living and dying. But there are differences, too: in political views, urban Appalachian experiences, in a strong awareness of spirituality.

So Mr. Walker created a word that is more relevant to the Appalachian experience today. What began as a word has become a literary movement filled with powerful voices, whether their writing is personal or political.
—Jackie Demaline, “‘Affrilachian‘ writers to congregate here,” The Cincinnati Enquirer, September 26, 2002

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I thought that this introduction I came across on Wordspy when looking for a way to introduce Affrilachia officially to the blogging world, might be a good preface to what’s going to happen in this blog. Essentially, the Appalachian region, stretching from the southern East coast all the way to New York State, is home to plenty of black folks. And almost as many artists, artisans, and poets. The full roster of Affrilachian Poets can be found at www.affrilachianpoets.com. 

As a second generation Affrilachian Poet (AP), I’ve been inducted into a family of artists of color who all have at least a toe hold in Appalachia.  We’re connected through our experiences here.  While the AP’s were founded in Kentucky, our network is widespread with our folk representing both coasts, the South, and internationally. Members have started presses, a literary magazine, and an online literary journal including, Blacoetry Press, Pluck! Magazine, and Torch.  Many of us are award winning, have terminal degrees, tour, teach, and publish regularly. We’re anthologized, write novels, and books of poetry and perform one-woman shows around the country. We’re the best kept secret many people in our region have yet to hear of, even though the group has been around for well over a decade.

This blog isn’t supposed to speak for all of us, although other Affrilachians are welcome to contribute.  Primarily, this is my experience living and working in Kentucky and from time to time, there will be links to what others are doing ’round these parts.  While this preface was a little formal, hopefully you’ll see that the struggle here isn’t all dire and dim.  We have a good time here in Affrilachia along with our fair share of struggle like anywhere else.  And given the recent election, where our country is finding that there is still so much unresolved between black people and white people, I want to do my part with what I do best: writing. 

Because it’s easy to forget, “Some of the Bluegrass is Black.” — Frank X Walker, Affrilachia