A literary lecture featuring discussion of the intersection between literature and government, held at Radford University Sep. 24 included (left to right) RU President Bret Danilowicz, Provost Bethany Usher, author Sharyn McCrumb, Virginia Lt. Gov. Dr. Ghazala Hashmi and Radford English Dept. Chair Courtney Watson
RADFORD – A celebrated author, Virginia’s lieutenant governor and the English Department Chair of Radford University presented opinions and then participated in a round table discussion Sep. 24 reviewing Appalachian culture, literature and the effects of government on communities.
The program was called “Songs of Appalachia: The Role of Folklore and Memory in Sharyn McCrumb’s Ballad Series”. It is part of Lt. Gov. Hashmi’s planned four-year series of lectures across the state entitled “Literature and Government” which examines how American writers have defined, challenged and questioned institutional power and how political authority has influenced literature’s place, purpose and voice.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, who earned her Ph.D. in American literature from Emory University, presented her interpretation of those concepts in the acclaimed “Ballad” series of novels by award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb, who also commented on the presentation along with RU English chair Courtney Watson.
Focusing on the novels “She Walks these Hills” and “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter,” Dr. Hashmi revealed how these stories portray the element of “liminality,” comparing it to the thin veil between the living and the dead, a constant state of being on the verge of change. In the Appalachians, the shifting issues of environment, local, regional and state politics, family and community composed the interwoven story of a unique culture within the mountains.
“Both of these novels deal with health care, mental illness, hardship, poverty and isolation but they also remind us of the resilience of the Appalachian citizens from Eastern Tennessee into western North Carolina and across Southwest Virginia,” said Hashmi. “We appreciate the way Ms. McCrumb has shown us how special community and local culture binds this wonderful area together.”
“No matter where I go, on book tours from coast to coast in the United States or around the world, many people want to know ‘if the people up in the hollers still speak Gaelic’ so the stereotypes remain in a world that is constantly changing,” said McCrumb.
She quipped about the play on words with the label and her title. “
We have a lot of fun talking about L.G. with the L.G,” said Hashmi.
She plans to speak across Virginia in a four-year program and recently has traveled from Wytheville to Roanoke, among other stops.
“My hope is that this tour becomes a space for much-needed community conversations and connection,” she said.
Hashmi, Virginia’s 43rd Lt. Governor, spent more than 25 years teaching at various venues of higher education, as well as in the Community College System and is a strong proponent of education and advocate of adequate health care and economic opportunity.
The program was introduced by Radford President Bret Danilowicz, who said, “Ms. McCrumb and Lt. Gov. Hashmi champion the power of literature and how it impacts our lives. The exploration and revelations in her works are gifts to us in our understanding of the Appalachian region.”
Ms. Watson noted, “This ‘Lecture and Government’ series is a meaningful initiative with outstanding lessons that spotlight the Appalachian culture in which we live.”
Hashmi will be speaking at both public and private colleges and universities as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
