Beginning Again

Stories of Movement and Migration in Appalachia edited by Katrina M. Powell.

Appalachia has been a place of movement and migration—for individuals, families, and entire communities—for centuries. Beginning Again brings together twelve narratives of refugees, migrants, and generations-long residents that explore complex journeys of resettlement. In their stories, Appalachia is not simply a monolithic region of poverty and strife, populated only by white people. It is a diverse place where belonging and connection are created despite displacement, resource extraction, and inequality.

Although resettlement is not new in the region, popular misunderstandings often perpetuate stereotypes of refugees and immigrants as a drain on resources—and rural Appalachians as backwards. Beginning Again adds to the growing body of works that counter damaging myths of the region.

Beginning Again brings together oral histories of refugees, migrants, and generations-long residents that explore complex journeys of resettlement and belonging. Taken together, the stories collected here present a nuanced look at life in contemporary Appalachia.

Purchase Beginning Again at voiceofwitness.org/books/beginning-again-stories-of-movement-and-migration-in-appalachia. Free lesson plans are also available.

Beginning Again is published by Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that amplifies the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. The organization works with communities to document and center unheard voices, teach ethics-driven storytelling, and develop educational resources. Voice of Witness sees oral history as a method of storytelling that can democratize history and contribute to narrative change. To learn more, please visit voiceofwitness.org.