The Latino Experience In Appalachia

*Latinos in Appalachia? Hernando de Soto gave the mountains their name in the 1500’s. Latinos have worked in the Appalachian coal industry since the 1800’s. Yes, there are Latinos in Appalachia. VL

By Celeste Headle, Tell Me More/NPR

Let’s take a visit to Appalachia now, the region that stretches from Southern New York all the way down to northern Mississippi. The stereotype of Appalachia is a mountainous area sparsely populated by poor whites. But there is a lot more to that region, including a growing Latino community with rich traditions in the arts.

A new project documents their experiences. It is called “Las Voces de los Apalaches.” It’s produced by the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Center. Ann Kingsolver directs that center, and Pedro Santiago Martinez leads the project. They both join us now from member station WUKY in Lexington, KY. Welcome.

Click HERE to read and listed to the full article.

[Photo courtesy of Mountain Empire Community College]

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