Appalachia Forward

The other day, I stood at the edge of a ridge where the Smokies fold into the horizon. The late afternoon light turned the mountains into layers of shadow and gold, each peak standing as witness to centuries of our stories. These hills, with their beauty and their struggle, hold the essence of who we are as mountain people—self-determined, rooted, and bound by an unspoken promise to care for one another. But as I stood there, taking in that quiet majesty, a question lingered in my heart:

What does it mean to keep that promise today? We ain’t as good as our grannies at living those ideals out. But we’ve got the gumption to figure out how we honor their lives by figuring out how we live that promise today.

What does it mean to protect not just our hills, but also the people who call them home? 

That question came with a grief that has become all too familiar: our communities are being left behind. The signs of this loss are everywhere. Grocery prices climb beyond reach. Healthcare remains a luxury rather than a guarantee. Our children pack up and leave, seeking opportunities they should have here, in the places they love. And when we look to our leaders for answers, what do we find? A politics that prioritizes profits over people, corporations over communities, and party loyalty over the well-being of neighbors. These mountains teach us to endure, but they also teach us to fight for what matters. We deserve better, and we can build it—together.

The Time for a New Appalachia

There was a time, not so long ago, when East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia were politically competitive. Leaders earned votes through integrity and meaningful solutions, connecting deeply with the struggles and hopes of everyday people. Back then, our communities felt seen, and our voices mattered. Politics was about building trust, offering real answers, and standing with the people.

But over the past two decades, something shifted. The Republican Party stepped in with a vision—one that promised care, belonging, and the restoration of a golden age that, truthfully, never existed. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party faltered, losing its connection to its roots and to the people it once served. Instead of offering bold policies to lift our neighbors out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, Democrats gave us ambiguity—no clear vision, no tangible solutions.

It’s no wonder folks embraced the simplicity of MAGA messaging. For many, it wasn’t just about politics; it was about hope, about finding something—or someone—that claimed to care. This shift wasn’t just about party lines or policy failures; it cut deeper. The relationship between the Party and its people fractured, leaving a void where partnership and hope once thrived.

Yet trust, once lost, isn’t gone forever. Even more, the Democratic Party will have an opportunity within the next two years; Trump and his wholly unqualified cabinet will overplay their hand. The trust in their vision will falter; their veil of care for common folk will be removed.

This is why the Democratic Party must step forward. Unlike grassroots-only movements or third-party efforts, the Democratic Party already has the infrastructure to win elections and enact change. By renewing its roots in working-class values and rebuilding trust, it can once again become the champion Appalachia deserves. The renewal of this Party is not just a possibility; it is a responsibility to those who still believe in government as a force for good. 

This is the moment that trust can be rebuilt—not with empty promises or flashy rhetoric, but through action. By grounding ourselves in the values that have always defined this region—self-determination, solidarity, and an unshakable commitment to caring for one another—we can restore that bond. We can build a renewed Democratic Party that isn’t just for the people but belongs to them, a party rooted in the struggles and dreams of Appalachia.

A Manifesto for the People’s Democratic Party

This is a call to action for a new kind of Democratic Party in Appalachia—one that prioritizes people over profits and communities over corporations. This isn’t about tweaking the status quo or reaching across the aisle to preserve a broken system. This is about transformation, about reclaiming and renewing a party that reflects the heart of Appalachia and the needs of its people.

Our foundation is built on four core principles:

• Economic Justice and Fair Labor: Every East Tennessean and Southwest Virginian deserves more than survival; they deserve security, dignity, and a fair wage that meets their needs.
• Local Power and Community-Led Change: Decisions about our region’s future should come from our communities, not distant politicians or corporate boardrooms.
• Environmental Stewardship and Respect for the Land: We owe it to future generations to protect the mountains, rivers, and valleys that sustain us.
• Inclusive Representation and Solidarity: Our diversity—from mountain hollers to valley towns—is our strength, and every voice deserves to be heard and valued.

Four Pillars for Action

To bring these principles to life, we must adopt practices that build trust, power, and hope:

1. Foster Well-Being through Radical Community Care: Show up, consistently and authentically, to meet people where they are and remind them they are not alone.
2. Practice Popular Education to Empower Voters: Equip our neighbors with the knowledge and tools to engage with and reshape the systems affecting their lives.
3. Cultivate Shared Power through Grassroots Organizing: Build partnerships that amplify local voices and ensure no one is left out of the political process.
4. Use Consistent Presence and Values-Based Messaging: Speak to the core values of Appalachia—hard work, neighborliness, and love for the land—through actions that back up our words.

A Vision for Change

Imagine a region where the following principles are reality rather than vision:

• Economic Equity and Opportunity: Every family can put food on the table, pay their bills, and save for the future because their work is valued and fairly compensated.
• Dignity and Health for All: No one has to choose between a doctor’s visit and groceries. Healthcare is accessible and affordable for everyone.
• Education Leads to Prosperity: Whether through college, trade schools, or local apprenticeships, education becomes a true pathway to opportunity.
• Environmental Stewardship Thrives: The mountains and rivers that sustain us are protected for generations to come, through sustainable policies and practices.

Join Us in Building a Future for All

The road ahead won’t be easy, but nothing worth building ever is. Appalachia has always been a place of perseverance, where people look out for one another and rise together, even in the hardest times. This is our moment to reclaim the values that define us and create a party that belongs to us—a Mountain Movement for the people.

Will you join us? Together, we can build a just, abundant, and dignified future for all who call these mountains home. Sign up, volunteer, and bring your voice to the table. The heart of Appalachia beats with self-determination and hope. Let’s rise together, just as these mountains have weathered every storm, to build a future worthy of our home and its people.

This is our time. This is Our Mountain Movement. Let’s begin.