#ThisIsAppalachia: Hope for 2023
What are your hopes for 2023?
Teresa CollinsMy hope for the new year is that folks displaced by the July 28, 2022 flood in eastern Kentucky are all in safe, comfortable homes before the first anniversary of the flood. (photo is from her front yard during flooding). 
Belinda BurnsI saw a quote made by Aretha Franklin that has me thinking about my “what’s ahead” new year.
“The promise of tomorrow coming to pass”
I feel it represents a lot of different things which are personal for me, but it also makes me think about Appalachia too. When I think about tomorrow as passing before it gets here makes me think of what needs to be done today.Janell L. PisegnaMy hopes are to see the work of Appalachian social and environmental justice advocates amplified nationally, and that more people will experience the beauty of the Appalachian region in 2023.Brandi AugustusAppalachia didn’t birth or raise me but it is the first place that I have ever felt at home at my big grown age of 37 years old. Living here for the last 12 years has been an experience that I can only describe as love. There is so much love, acceptance, and community here that the negative stereotypes that I heard about southerners growing up as a northerner have been disproven. Now, when my folk talk bad about the south I just look at them and say, “Well, bless your heart…” with all the southern shade that is intended because they have no idea how magical it is here. I mean, this is Dolly’s country; long may she reign.Kathy JohnsonI hope for peace and renewed health for everyone whose medical care was delayed by the pandemic.Taysha DeVaughanWhat I am looking forward to in 2023 is the growth of our grassroots voice and collective power. Building capacity for the folks who do the everyday work in central Appalachia to gain more resources, networking, and seeing the vision of justice for all come to fruition.Walter DavisI hope that 2023 will see an end of the war on children. One-size-fits-all standardized statewide tests in Tennessee could force 2/3rds of third graders to repeat years. Students need tutoring and care at the end of this time of stress and insecurity, not more tests graded by computers. The young need love not punishment. I also hope to see teachers admired not vilified for being educators. Their care of students is even more important. In 2023, we need to embrace educators not push them out. And trans kids in particular need understanding and counseling support not exclusion and marginalization. Let’s stop bullying the young and their teachers in 2023!
From website of Appalachians for Appalachia:
We harness the power of community through art, science, research and advocacy
To bring about the real change that is possible when diversity of thought is grounded in truth.
We honor the champions who paved our way
By bringing the next generation of Appalachians a space to center justice, equity, resilience and sustainability in our region.
Ideas for #ThisIsAppalachia? Contact Walter Davis, walter@appalachiancommunityfund.org, if you have a positive story about people, places, and things in Central Appalachia.
