Some fear Santa Train perpetuates negative stereotypes of Appalachia

For all the holiday joy associated with the Santa Train, a local economic development official worries it perpetuates negative stereotypes of Appalachia.

The train marked its 69th consecutive run through the region Saturday, distributing tons of gifts at 14 stops in eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. It is a joint project of CSX Corp., the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Food City and Florida-based Kids Wish Network.

Part the route includes stops in Wise and Scott counties in Virginia, which are served by the Lenowisco Planning District Commission. Executive Director Glen “Skip” Skinner frets the train may be damaging the perception of a once-remote area now opened up by highway construction, high-speed Internet and commercial growth.

“Because of the image being extended with the Santa Train, I believe it has a tendency to still give us a black eye sometimes,” Skinner said in a phone interview last week. “It was a different era when it was established. When it first started, that piece of candy or that gift might have been the only Christmas gift a child received. Today, I don’t think that’s probably the case. I’ve taken my kids and seen the Santa Train but I think it’s a different era now.”

The kinds of stereotypes that were on full display Thursday when billionaire businessman John Paul Dejoria told a CNN TV anchor he plans to invest $10 million over five years to help 300,000 residents of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas – primarily “out of work coal miners” to “grow their own food” and “can it to get through the winters.”

People from outside the region who see or read about the train may not know about the array of educational opportunities at the University of Virginia at Wise, Lincoln Memorial University in nearby Harrogate, Tenn., or the schools of law and pharmacy now turning out professionals in Buchanan County, Skinner said.

They also may not be aware of high-tech firms like Northrop-Grumman and CGI-AMS which employ hundreds at facilities in Russell County, Skinner said.

Unemployment ranges from 6.8 to 7.1 percent in Southwest Virginia counties, well below the national and Virginia averages of 8.5 percent.

About one in five residents of Southwest Virginia live below the poverty level. That is on par with the state average but represents a decline from previous decades, according to the U.S. Census.

“I think there is a tendency to allow the stereotypes to live on to a certain degree when it gets national and international attention,” Skinner said. “We try desperately to eliminate the stereotypical, hillbilly image and present this as a place for companies to make technical investments and individuals to use this as a place for a second home.”

Organizers respectfully disagree the train perpetuates negative images.

“I don’t think it does at all,” said Tori Kaplan, CSX associate vice president of corporate social responsibility. “We’re saluting a tradition that’s been going on for a long time. It’s not attempt at changing lives, it’s about making people happier for a day. We’re honoring a 69-year-old tradition for a day. CSX is lucky to be part of such a legacy and we hope to continue for a long time. I couldn’t imagine we wouldn’t continue to honor this legacy.”

While CSX serves the eastern half of the U.S., the Santa Train is a “one of a kind deal,” of community outreach, Kaplan said.

“I think it’s a wonderful stereotype that families still come out together for family events instead of sitting plugged into a video game,” longtime Chamber of Commerce Santa Train volunteer Don Royston said. “It’s not about alleviating poverty. We’ve got pockets of poverty in every community. It’s about coming together for a fun weekend.”

Kaplan called participating in the train “one of the biggest honors” she’s experienced during her tenure with the company.

“This is what the holiday season is really all about. It’s a chance to get to see people at their best,” Kaplan said. “Watching a child smile and get a glimpse of Santa; it’s really something to see a child smile at Santa – no matter where they come from.”

dmcgee@bristolnews.com
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