1. Jack Vigneron Jesse Giuffre Period 5
Harlan, Kentucky
Jack Vigneron
Jesse Giuffre
Period 5

2. Background of Harlan, Kentucky
It was founded in 1819 by 8 immigrant families.
They came from the northern region of British Isles in search for land
Not a wealthy county, thin population about 10,000 people
The 2 founding families were the Howards and the Turners, who completely hated each other.

3. Patterns in Harlan
In the late 19th century, violence swept the town of Harlan.
There were dozens of clashes, fights, and shootouts between the Howards and the Turners.
Fatalities occurred daily.
Not only did this occur in Harlan but all up and down the Appalachians.
There was a pattern called “culture of honor.”

4. Appalachian Pattern When one family fights with another, it’s a feud.
When lots of families fight with one another in identical little towns up and down the same mountain range, it’s a pattern.
Over the years, many potential explanations have been examined and debated, and the consensus appears to be that that region was plagued by a particularly virulent strain of what sociologists call the culture of honor

5. “Culture of Honor”
Cultures of honor tend to take root in highlands and other marginally fertile areas, such as Sicily or the mountainous regions of Spain.
It’s a world where a mans reputation is at the center of his livelihood and self-worth.
It’s a reputation for not excepting improper actions from anyone.
Ex: When the grandson’s of Samuel Howard and William Turner accused each other of cheating in a game of poker, the fought and eventually exchanged gunshots leaving William Turners grandson dead.

6. Culture Legacies in Harlan
The traditions and attitudes that we inherit from our ancestors.
Cultural Legacies effect our personalities and help determine what we will succeed in areas.
The effects of cultural legacy are displayed in the history of Harlan.
Ex: In Sicily and regions of Spain source of money was the livestock industry, so the amount of livestock you have determines your wealth, how well off your family is, and your status in the community.

7. Cohen and Nisbett experiment
An experiment conducted on the Culture of Honor in the Modern Era.
The experiment was conducted at the University of Michigan, where they would test the eighteen and twenty year old brains. They tested how the students would react to being called an “asshole.”
There were clear differences in how the young men responded. The difference was in where the students were from.
Students from the Northern part of the US ignored it and laughed it off, but students from the South were outraged and wanted to fight.

8. Do we buy into this theory?
Yes.