Don't Do This When Talking About Appalachian Kentucky's Future: Bingo Edition

For starters, let's stop ignoring basic local needs (ahem, SOAR).

In early October—after fretfully looking over the conference program for the annual Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Conference—I was supremely disappointed.

Disappointed because the event featured almost exclusively the voices of the same “executive” leadership we’ve heard from time and again with no worker-driven (or led!) panels to be found.

Disappointed because—despite being advertised as having a virtual option for the entire program—the live-streamed events were only the kick-off session (featuring a whole lot of university presidents/provosts) and a plenary session featuring Hal Rogers, Gayle Manchin (wife of the guy single-handedly ruining our collective future) and—for some reason—an astronaut. What’s available now to watch on YouTube after the fact is under an hour of actual content.

Disappointed because if you’re not going to offer a fully virtual option for rural attendees and hold a conference in the middle of the week, how can most people show up? They can’t. Your exclusivity is showing.

And disappointed because it felt like the same ‘ol, same ‘ol hype with no hard questions or creative answers to go around. Essentially, a cheerleading session for the people who are already running the show.

In light of this disappointing turn, the Friends of The Goldenrod™ got together to figure out some words, ideas and phrases we’re tired of hearing when it comes to economic development in Appalachian Kentucky for our very first BINGO board! We also kicked in a few squares with key areas that are always ignored at these conferences, like healthcare as a human right, as well as how icky it feels when people love to spout the concept of “resiliency” while glossing over crumbling infrastructure and a rural housing crisis. You know, big stuff.

We hope this BINGO board becomes a way to push back against the annual “This is Fine” meme that SOAR has become of increased issues with little real progress.

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Stale, Tired and Otherwise Wrong-Headed Ways to do Economic Transition in Rural Kentucky: Bingo Edition

We’ll be back this week to talk about factory farming, hunting and what the in-between could look like. In the meantime, if you want to bring your BINGO partners into this, consider sending a gift subscription: