Strolling through the WV State Capitol Complex during the 33rd Vandalia Gathering yesterday, I couldn't help but ponder how our particular "West Virginia Culture" was developed. Listening to the pleasing sounds of banjos, dulcimers, fiddles, mandolins and other instruments, I wondered what the petri dish of environmental and pre-existing cultural conditions was like that developed what we understand as West Virginia (and Appalachian) culture.
We're familiar with many of the influencing factors:
- Immigration - By definition, those 18th, 19th and 20th century pioneers who were willing to journey from their home country, either by desire or by necessity, and stake their claim in the Appalachian Mountains tended to have a risk-taking mentality.
- Existing Culture - Immigrants always bring their existing culture with them, which then becomes infused with other cultures to form a new community.
- Isolation - One of West Virginia's unique conditions in the 18th through the early 20th century was a certain disconnectedness, not only from other regions of the country but even from neighboring communities. Certainly this had some bearing on how our culture developed.
- Industry - The nature of extractive and manufacturing industries surely has influenced how we perceive work and business.
I wonder....50 years from now, what will the "West Virginnia Culture" celebrated at the 83rd Vandalia Gathering look like? Will we celebrate a renewed pioneer spirit that helped overcome our relative problems in health, education and prosperity? Will we have a statue of "The West Virginia Entrepreneur", "West Virginia Scientist" or "The West Virginia Educator" alongside "The West Virginia Coal Miner" statue on the Capitol grounds?
I'm no anthropologist or sociologist, but I wonder how modern conditions might shape or re-shape our "West Virginia Culture"? Are people at the mercy of these conditions, or can we truly influence them and make a purposeful decision to shape culture? Do we even feel empowered to do so? If culture is always changing, don't we have some say in whether it changes in ways that bring more prosperity to our communities? How should many diverse, often-conflicting, voices collaborate on shaping our ongoing cultural conditions?
Interstate highways, airports, television and the Internet have all had a profound impact on eliminating the influence of isolation as a cultural driver. For better or worse, our kids get to see the same MTV videos, watch the same movies and eat at the same fast food restaurants as any kid in California. So what can remain unique, special and positive about West Virginia's culture?
One area of interest: Whereas waves of immigration from various countries and ethnicities was a driving force for cultural development in West Virginia's history, our immigration (and therefore population) stagnated while the rest of the country's grew dramatically. Is West Virginia losing out on another historic opportunity for cultural growth as a result?
Some folks participating in the creative communities inititiative believe that the root of many of our perceived problems as a state (obesity, lack of entrepreneurship, lower academic attainment, etc.) are primarily cultural issues that could be shaped by purposeful efforts. Others believe our problems are the result of poor institutional policies and a lack of historic resources. Both are probably true; they tend to influence each other, don't they? Still others believe that we don't have as many problems as we like to think we have, that West Virginia is fine just the way it is. The only problem is with those "outsiders" who want to judge us.
That's why, in addition to holding conferences, summits and blogs to elevate this dialogue among communities around issues of diversity, education, technology, place and entrepreneurship, we realize the need to work with institutions to embrace cultural values that will lead to investment in game-changing directions that will open new doors of opportunity for our people.
At the heart of things, however, is the realization that our institutions and communities belong to us. When individuals and groups of individuals connected by community believe this and begin to take control of how those institutions serve them, we may begin to experience a new burst of cultural creativity in West Virginia. And the 83rd annual Vandalia Gathering may be quite interesting to behold.
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