Summary: Growing up in rural Appalachia Machlyn Blair didn't think he would have much in common with teenagers from other places. But the current immigration debate has made him realize just how central the experience of economic migration has been for him and his family. In this essay Machlyn shares his personal experiences and family history with economic migration, and talks about what making a choice to leave home really means to him.
This piece stopped me in the midst of chopping veggies to really listen. It's a testament to how specific and personal stories are not only compelling, but have connections to universal issues, such as home, identity, migration and loss. A very thoughtful look at immigration from a different angle. I'm not surprised it comes from a young person. Just what public radio needs to hear more of!
In a world were the average teenager is either into rock and wearing American Eagle, or into rap and wearing Sean John outfits it is difficult to cut through the top layers of todays youth and search past the materialism and reach the soul of that person. In this piece there are no connotations of materialistic items, only tangable things that every human feels. There are real life human issues. It successfully brings a new aspect on the common teenage issue: "What will I do with my life?" This is a question we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives regardless of age. There should be more pieces like these were we are reminded that there are people out there feeling the things that we feel.
My favorite part is when Machlyn says he could never have imagined that he could relate to people in another country like Mexico. He uses the current backdrop of immigrant right reformation to enhance the connection between us all. Although it is said subtly in this piece, the underlying universal theme is that we are all human, and we are all struggling everywhere.
It was interesting to hear the comparison with immigrants coming to the united states, and the view from someone within the united states. Great insite towards what the young people of rural America are faced with. This peice clearly illustrates that us Americans are struggling to create a well lead life.
Wow this piece is amazing! Your absolutely right, most people are very close-minded when it comes to this issue, but there are pretty strong arguments f or and against immigration. I don?t have a strong stance for or against immigration simply because I listen to stories like yours. This is truly one reason why radio and this web site are so important, it brings issues like this to the table. You?re not just another number that CNN reports on. You?re a person, with a family, with a dream and with a story. We need more stories like this. When I took a trip to Kentucky I stood in a hotel but I had the chance to speak to kids your age and this is exactly what they were talking about, and mostly every graduating senior from high school was moving out. In your story I would have liked to heard some ways people do survive and manage to live in your area, like what jobs do they take, etc. your piece is so short I would have liked a longer piece. But somehow you managed to get so much information across is such a little time without sounding confusing. You did an amazing job and I want to hear more! EXCELLENT JOB!!!!!!
This piece provides an interesting and essential perspective on the immigration issue right now. Instead of joining the endless parade of stories discussing immigrants coming to the US, the narrator puts his own spin on things by discussing emigration from his community, and he does so very effectively.
The piece is structured so as to draw parallels between immigrants leaving other countries and people leaving Appalachian communities, and apparently many of the same motives lie behind each: little work, poor economy, dangerous jobs. The narrator also does a great job examining the conflicting forces behind the decision to stay or go. But what impressed me most was that even such a small editorial could have an effective story arc: the listener is first introduced to the conflict, the scene is set and discussed, and finally we hear the narrator make a choice...
This story is truly a breath of fresh air, and would be an almost necessary addition to any show about immigration and the surrounding issues.
As someone excited to head off to college, this well-written essay offers a new perspective on what it means to leave home. The essay, though already powerful, would be enhanced by slightly slower voicing, and perhaps the addition of other voices offering their perspectives. Smoothing the slightly abrupt ending would also improve the piece.
Comments for Leaving the Mountains
Produced by Machlyn Blair, Appalachian Media Institute, Youth Radio
Other pieces by Appalachian Media Institute
Rating Summary
6 comments
Megan Martin
Posted on April 19, 2008 at 11:43 AM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
This piece stopped me in the midst of chopping veggies to really listen. It's a testament to how specific and personal stories are not only compelling, but have connections to universal issues, such as home, identity, migration and loss. A very thoughtful look at immigration from a different angle. I'm not surprised it comes from a young person. Just what public radio needs to hear more of!
Martin Macias, Jr.
Posted on October 25, 2006 at 04:35 PM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
In a world were the average teenager is either into rock and wearing American Eagle, or into rap and wearing Sean John outfits it is difficult to cut through the top layers of todays youth and search past the materialism and reach the soul of that person. In this piece there are no connotations of materialistic items, only tangable things that every human feels. There are real life human issues. It successfully brings a new aspect on the common teenage issue: "What will I do with my life?" This is a question we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives regardless of age. There should be more pieces like these were we are reminded that there are people out there feeling the things that we feel.
My favorite part is when Machlyn says he could never have imagined that he could relate to people in another country like Mexico. He uses the current backdrop of immigrant right reformation to enhance the connection between us all. Although it is said subtly in this piece, the underlying universal theme is that we are all human, and we are all struggling everywhere.
Zoe Levin
Posted on July 22, 2006 at 10:58 PM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
It was interesting to hear the comparison with immigrants coming to the united states, and the view from someone within the united states. Great insite towards what the young people of rural America are faced with. This peice clearly illustrates that us Americans are struggling to create a well lead life.
Rocky Tayeh
Posted on June 29, 2006 at 04:54 PM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
Wow this piece is amazing! Your absolutely right, most people are very close-minded when it comes to this issue, but there are pretty strong arguments f or and against immigration. I don?t have a strong stance for or against immigration simply because I listen to stories like yours. This is truly one reason why radio and this web site are so important, it brings issues like this to the table. You?re not just another number that CNN reports on. You?re a person, with a family, with a dream and with a story. We need more stories like this. When I took a trip to Kentucky I stood in a hotel but I had the chance to speak to kids your age and this is exactly what they were talking about, and mostly every graduating senior from high school was moving out. In your story I would have liked to heard some ways people do survive and manage to live in your area, like what jobs do they take, etc. your piece is so short I would have liked a longer piece. But somehow you managed to get so much information across is such a little time without sounding confusing. You did an amazing job and I want to hear more! EXCELLENT JOB!!!!!!
Emily Raymond
Posted on June 28, 2006 at 11:26 AM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
This piece provides an interesting and essential perspective on the immigration issue right now. Instead of joining the endless parade of stories discussing immigrants coming to the US, the narrator puts his own spin on things by discussing emigration from his community, and he does so very effectively.
The piece is structured so as to draw parallels between immigrants leaving other countries and people leaving Appalachian communities, and apparently many of the same motives lie behind each: little work, poor economy, dangerous jobs. The narrator also does a great job examining the conflicting forces behind the decision to stay or go. But what impressed me most was that even such a small editorial could have an effective story arc: the listener is first introduced to the conflict, the scene is set and discussed, and finally we hear the narrator make a choice...
This story is truly a breath of fresh air, and would be an almost necessary addition to any show about immigration and the surrounding issues.
Eilis O'Neill
Posted on June 24, 2006 at 11:24 AM | Permalink
Review of Leaving the Mountains
As someone excited to head off to college, this well-written essay offers a new perspective on what it means to leave home. The essay, though already powerful, would be enhanced by slightly slower voicing, and perhaps the addition of other voices offering their perspectives. Smoothing the slightly abrupt ending would also improve the piece.