Locked Out of the Capital: Why Kentucky Voices Struggle in D.C.—and How Berea College’s Model Offers a Path

By Bisher Alshehab

Editor’s Note: Bisher is a Berea College student from Syria who has found a home at the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, where he works during breaks and the summer.  He is a junior political science major.

As someone who is obsessed with politics, living, working, and studying in Washington, D.C. was truly a dream come true for me. Throughout my two-month honeymoon at the nation's capital, I had the honor to shake hands with U.S. representatives, work with policy experts, and actively contribute to the discourse of the United States’s public policy. I did notice though particular hardships faced by Kentucky residents didn’t enter into conversations, and I can see the blocks that prevent many of the state’s most talented individuals from breaking into Washington’s political sphere.

Washington, D.C., is not an ordinary city. While for many Americans, politics might only consist of watching ABS or CNN news before going to bed, the capital is often a place where you get to see the reverberation of political events live—whether it's a Palestinian protest next to the White House, Congressional staffers discussing the Epstein files, or policy experts debating the One Big Beautiful Bill—decisions made in this city affect not only the lives of Americans but also the lives of millions around the world.

During my time with the Fund for American Studies (TFAS) program, I was one of the few students out of hundreds who came from Kentucky. I was able to attend due to the grace of the College’s Office for Internships and Career Development, which funded the majority of my costs to intern and live in D.C. for the summer. This aid made me wonder, how many students from Eastern Kentucky or Central Appalachia, who didn't have knowledge and access to finances like I do, are prevented from breaking into a competitive place like Washington D.C.?  I don’t have any numbers to share, but here are my thoughts.

I find that the people who work in politics in the capital are not in any way ordinary Americans. These include diplomats, lobbyists, and policy experts who are the top of the pile in the nation in terms of education, wealth, and analytical political intelligence. The concentration of think tanks in Washington D.C. fuels intense competition, creating a kind of natural selection in which only those who get accustomed to particulars norms and etiquette can truly succeed there.

In a city where your social value is often tied to your workplace, having an adequate salary is essential to afford living in one of the most expensive places in the country. Perception also plays a pivotal role in success. How you dress, how you communicate, and even your background can matter just as much in Washington as your GPA does when applying to graduate school. In other words, it’s far easier to find your footing in Washington if you are a Standford University student from a wealthy family than if you’re a low-income Appalachian student at Eastern Kentucky University.

However, Kentucky has definitely produced some of the most prominent figures in American politics and policy. Regardless of where you stand on their views, it’s hard to deny that our state is home to two of the most well-known senators in the nation: Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. We also have our outspoken libertarian congressman, Thomas Massie, whose congressional district in northern Kentucky from Covington to Ashville, who continues to resist the pressures of the Trump and MAGA movement.

Others most people may not know include Cato Institute Vice President David Boaz, and even my internship supervisor, Herbert Detrick, a TFAS alumnus and exceptional civil lawyer, are among the many remarkable individuals connected to Kentucky. And, of course, we cannot forget our own President Abraham Lincoln, who stands as a timeless model of diplomacy and unification and who spent the first seven year of his life in Kentucky.

I firmly believe that every person, regardless of their background or culture, has the potential to succeed and advance in their chosen career. However, the speed at which someone climbs the professional ladder often depends on their wealth and social capital—and when it comes to policy and politics, this effect is made more obvious. While this country provides equality of opportunity, not everyone starts from the same starting line.

Much of Appalachia has long suffered from internal colonization, resource deprivation, brain drain, and exploitation by both government and private corporations. This has perpetuated a cycle of deindustrialization and declining living standards, forcing residents to either adapt or leave the region.  While many Appalachians have made a significant impact in Washington, D.C.—such as Gayle Conelly Manchin, current Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission—how can one support others?

In a hyper-capitalist society like the United States, it's refreshing to find an entire college and community dedicated to assisting students of limited means but with high potential. Berea College’s educational model provides an lunch pad for talented students to have a front-row seat prestigious programs like TFAS. I am extremely grateful for my political science professors—Dr. Poggio, Dr. Mckee, and  Dr. Heyrman—who have equipped with the deep understanding of the complex political issues our nations faces. I will always be grateful for Berea College for the opportunities and guidance it has provided me.