Wendell Berry Withdraws his Support from the University of Kentucky.

As this story relates, Writer Wendell Berry, arguably one of the State of Kentucky's most significant literary figures, recently withdrew his papers fro the University of Kentucky's collection. Wendell is a long-time proponent of sustainable agriculture and opponent of mountaintop coal removal, whose actions are widely characterized as being a response to the University of Kentucky's increasingly close ties with the coal industry. He is, however, quick to point out that this is a symptom of what he sees as the larger issue of the University's having placed large industry concerns over the needs of the state.

"Rather than trying to be nationally or globally prominent as a great research institution, if the University of Kentucky would meet its local responsibilities and really meet the needs of the land and the people of this state, it would be a city on a hill."

The remarks published in response to this story are very interesting, ranging from coal companies and their advocates attempting to discredit Wendell, to people who have no real idea of who he is, to people who wold rally to his defense and the larger defense of his ideals.

What do you think?

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment