Hillbilly Elegy

community empowers him with a sense
that he can control his own destiny or
encourages him to take refuge in
resentment at forces beyond his control;
whether he can access a church that
teaches him lessons of Christian love,
family, and purpose; whether those
people who do step up to positively
influence Brian find emotional and
spiritual support from their neighbors.
I believe we hillbillies are the
toughest goddamned people on this
earth. We take an electric saw to the hide
of those who insult our mother. We make
young men consume cotton
undergarments to protect a sister’s
honor. But are we tough enough to do