So proud, that she has spent her life being a representative for Appalachia and even wrote a book about the stereotypes of hillbillies.

The author spoke to an almost full auditorium in Mass Media and Technology Hall last night about these stereotypes in her book “Killing for Life.”

She pointed out how depending whether you did a good deed, like Jessica Lynch, or you committed a crime, like Eric Rudolph, you’re either seen as a hero from the south or as a redneck hillbilly who should know better.

As a native of Charleston, W.Va., Mason saw Appalachia first hand. She said as she grew away from the area, she thought it was fascinating to see how it was represented.

Mason pointed to Lynch, a native of West Virginia who enlisted to be able to afford a college education. Mason said the sacrifices made by Appalachians should give them some weight and bring more jobs to the area.

Mason believes there is a tendency to blame the hillbillies when military movements go awry, and that anti-abortion bombings are often brushed off as hillbillies as well.

“The image of the hillbilly can be used to deflect blame,” she said.

Mason found out about Eric Rudolph, who was on the Top 10 Most Wanted List along with Osama bin Laden, through research. Rudolph spent time in the Appalachian wilderness hiding after he was accused of multiple bombings, including the Centennial Park bombing in Atlanta during the 2000 Olympics.

The University of Nevada scholar answered questions from the audience of students who asked her about hillbilly representation in pop culture, such as a reality show that was going to showcase individuals from Appalachia.

“You can’t let the stereotype represent you,” she said. “You represent yourself.”

Appalachia is considered parts of Alabama up to parts of New York, according to Mason. She addressed other stereotypes as well, such as those placed on Kentuckians.

“I go to school in Kentucky, and I don’t drink moonshine,” was Mason’s suggestion for a comeback to these stereotypes, which got a laugh from the crowd.

Mason discussed the difference between the descriptions “redneck” and “hillbilly”.

According to Mason, a redneck is someone who gets in trouble and is explicitly racist. A hillbilly is someone who is just “not up to speed yet.”

Mason wants to get the message across that her ideas about hillbillies are not just limited to today, but have a history as well. “It’s important to speak to a college audience because I want to learn what they think about what I’m seeing in the world,” she said.

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Reach Emily Salmon at features@wkuherald.com.