Wendell Berry is a national treasure. Indeed, I would propose that he be declared one of America’s Most Precious Natural Resources – but we’ve seen how profiteering corporations and their politicians strip-mine, clearcut, frack, extract, and carelessly contaminate these precious treasures, so I wouldn’t want to endanger him.
The best homage we could pay to Berry – and the best favor we could do for ourselves and our country – is simply to read and spread every word of dirt-level common sense that this 88-year-old Kentucky farmer/essayist/poet/Little-d democrat writes. I’ve known, worked with, and enjoyed Wendell for years. His language and demeanor are at once soft, fierce, and inspiring, filled with a spirt of hope and perseverance that has sustained his lifetime of striving for a world with just a little more humanity and humility.
For a current example of his work, try a short, but typically sharp piece in which he confronts the aloof liberal establishment for its harmful ignorance and stereotyping of rural people. It’s just been published in Barn Raiser, a feisty newsletter that itself is a new progressive resource worth checking out. Read it at: https://barnraisingmedia.com/wendell-berry-new-york-review-of-books-rural-america/
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I know I have seen Mr Berry's work some years ago, but THANK YOU Mr Hightower for the enjoyable reminder. You are BOTH National Treasures!
I first learned of Wendell Berry back in 1971. At that time, I was working for a now defunct organization, the Council of the Southern Mountains, in Berea, KY. We had a bookstore. Wandering in one day to browse, I picked up a book because of its unusual title, The Long-legged House. I still have that book. And Berry became one of the most influential writers of my life. The Daily Yonder linked to his letter to the NYRB via Barn Raiser just yesterday. So, I have read it and been inspired to subscribe to the Barn Raiser. Should have been able to guess that Berry and Hightower are compadres!