Mountaineer

1. Have you experienced prejudice or negative stereotyping because you are West Virginian? Have you experienced positive reactions?
When I was seven years old my family took a trip to Michigan to visit some family and my cousins ask me if we had dirt floors in our house and why we talked funny. I was shocked because I didn't know people had dirt floors in their homes and my mom had to explain to me why they ask me that question. I told them that I didn't talk funny, but instead they talked funny to me. They had an accent that was totally different from ours.
Last year when my family went to the beach for vacation the maid who came to our room ask us where we were from and when we told her she said she loved to visit West Virginia in the fall during the slow season to look at the beautiful leaves. She said she just loved the scenery here in West Virgina.

2. What should be our attitude toward outsiders that misunderstand our way of life?
I think that we should over look there attitudes and understand that we don't understand their way of life either. I don't think someone can fully understand how others live until you live they way they do. I think it is important for people to remember that everyone has there own opinion, but as long as you know the truth that is all that matters. People need to live each day of their life to the fullest and not dwell on what others think. As long as you are happy with your life that is all that matters.