I come from a state that people don't know exists. Throughout my life, I've probably heard every comment possible about where I come from. Yes, like with any state, there are stereotypes such as the entire state being "rednecks". I even heard a joke once that went like this:
"What has missing legs and no teeth?"
"The West Virginia unemployment line."
While there are countless misconceptions and assumptions about my home state, I will always love where I'm from no matter what. Here's some things people outside of West Virginia may not know.
West Virginia is a state, not a territory of Virginia.
While it is sometimes difficult to face slander on the state I love, I can usually brush off most comments. However, there's one universal misconception that's more bothersome than all the others. When asked where I'm from and I respond, "West Virginia!", I typically get a response like, "Oh, Western Virginia! I have family in Richmond/Norfolk/any other major city in Virginia!"
We are the Mountain State and home of so many great people. country-star Brad Paisley, television-personality Steve Harvey, football coach Nick Saban, and basketball legend Jerry West all call West Virginia home.
It seems that as soon as one leaves the states bordering West Virginia, the average person has no idea that Virginia and West Virginia has a bitter split over 150 years ago. However, despite some confusion, anyone who knows of West Virginia can vouch for the pride of everyone living here.
Mountaineer Pride is something you have to experience to truly understand.
While West Virginia University is notorious for burning couches and being one of the top party schools in the nation, the energy on any kind of special event is extraordinary. The entire state has a long-living tradition of at the end of every event, whether it be a high school homecoming dance or at the end of a victorious football game, to wrap your arms around the people beside you and sing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver.
I've always admired the amount of support and pride West Virginians. If the football team has a bad season, there's still unconditional support. If there's a natural disaster, like the flooding in 2016, the entire state came together to help one another. This past month, teachers across the state participated in an eleven day walkout.
All 55 counties came together to make a change in the low wages teachers were receiving. After almost two weeks, teachers received a 5% pay raise. The entire state came together for one purpose and made a change. West Virginians will have one another's back no matter what the circumstances.
No matter where you end up, West Virginia will always be home.
As I prepare to move away from my home for college, I've taken time to reflect on my upbringing. I've been very blessed to receive the opportunities in my education, extracurriculars, and life in general.It's hard to love my home state sometimes, especially when some people don't even know it exists. However, I'll always love where my roots are, for I wouldn't be the person I am today if I didn't have West Virginia to call home.
If you ever have the chance, take some time to explore here. We're called Wild and Wonderful for a reason. There's amazing, friendly, and caring people around every corner, and evidence of pure, untouched nature everywhere you go. With that being said: GO MOUNTAINEERS!
