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by ccorra12
When the state "West Virginia" is mentioned on anything besides local news stations, its typically associated with one thing and one network.
Sports, and ESPN. West Virginia, as a state, doesn't get a lot of respect. For example, a recent ESPN article will give you all the evidence you need about a lack of respect. Just check out these "indexes."
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But no, this is not an article in regards to sports. I don't really like sports a WHOLE lot, however living in West Virginia my whole life (and being a former sports addict for several years) I have grown to love the WVU athletic teams.
This is about another exposure to our little state, that takes place in Huntington, WV. I was recently surfuing Hulu.com a few evenings ago. I'm currently on spring break (from WVU) and was relaxing at my home in Parkersburg. I ran across a tv show called "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," and remembered hearing something about it. The show based itself in Huntington, WV (otherwise known by non-residents of the state as the fattest/unhealthiest cities in the country. Supposedly the crux of the show is for Jamie Oliver to invade the city and help spread healthier eating habits.
First of all, I like the idea.. but judging by the one episode I watched (I don't have enough patience to watch more than one hour long episode).
Everyone who lives in West Virginia is familiar with its unfortunate and sometimes vulgar stereotypes. Toothless, redneck, no shoes, incestuous, un-educated... the list goes on.
A new one added to the list is apparently unhealthy. Watching the show, in the morning at an elementary school kids were being served pizza for breakfast. (I can personally vouch for this happening at my elementary school, an unfortunate truth)
The most astonishing part of the show, was when the host went to a classroom of I believe 2nd or 3rd graders, and persisted to show them various vegetables. None of them seemed to get any of them right. Granted, knowing what an eggplant looks like at that age is a longshot. But a tomato, none of them could identify that what Oliver was holding up was a tomato. This to me is sad, and sheds a poor light on our great state.
Let me be clear, this is not an attack (nor is it meant to be) on the wonderful people of Huntington or their children/education system/ etc. This is simply to point out flaws and places that need improvement. Its unfortunate that this is what people associate our state with. The great strides we have made are put on the backburner when shows like this display the kinds of things on this episode.
I take pride in the state of West Virginia, but I also recognize where we need to improve. Clearly judging by this show, although editing out of other parts may have proven a different story, improvements need to be made in our health and well-being.
We need West Virginia to be associated more with positive things, and less with negative things like having the most unhealthy city in America. |
