Protect Our Traditions:
By Alex Saitta
November 7, 2021
This past weekend the Hagood Mill dedicated the new Burdine Cabin, and I was asked to speak at the ceremony
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This is the speech I gave -- we have to protect our local traditions.
Introduction:
When I think of the Hagood Mill, I think of tradition and the need to protect that tradition. In this instance, to protect the Appalachian or mountain culture.
Now as a sitting councilman, I first want to thank all those who took a stand two years ago to do just that, when there was an effort to commercialize the mill and this area above Highway 183. It was a watershed moment I believe and tradition prevailed.
Traditions:
The people of Pickens are proud of their traditions and today (more than ever) we need to protect all these traditions. Beit the Appalachian tradition. Our small town culture. The tradition of God and faith, with a Baptist church on every corner. I even see a few Sons of Confederate Veterans and military veterans; you should be proud of your traditions, deep in Biblical morals and principles of self-determination and freedom.
They all matter.
Even if you are not born and raised here, we must all stand with the Pickens natives in defending their traditions and way of life – they’ve got a winning formula here, that has been passed down through the generations.
That may mean, in a small part, just wearing their traditional colors. Sometimes it requires more like standing up and fighting (sometimes unsuccessfully) to keep open a mountain school or keep the wall at Bruce Field its traditional white.
Decline:
Believe me, I grew up in a modern culture that turned its back on its traditions – on its founding morals, values and principles.
The result has been nothing but decadence and decline in New York City since then. We must learn from others’ mistakes.
Conclusion:
In sum, our local Pickens traditions need to be noted, protected, and celebrated. The Hagood Mill is a big part of that, and for that I thank the officers and board of the Hagood Mill Foundation and its many volunteers.
