Frontier Nursing strayed from mission, continuing legacy of exploitation in Eastern KY

Dear Mr. Guy Kemper,

In response to your very well thought out article, in which you yourself say “you won’t pretend to know anything about,” please allow me to enlighten you:

It’s not that people in Eastern Kentucky are outraged by Frontier Nursing University moving to your hometown of Versailles, or even really that they removed and desecrated a chapel housing a 15th-century stained glass window gifted to the people of Leslie County. Let me enlighten you on the REAL reason that people in rural Appalachia are so outraged. It is a point that your ignorant and misinformed article so catastrophically misses.

For HUNDREDS of years, the people in this area have continually suffered and broken their backs to power the rest of the country. Appalachian people have been degraded, stereotyped, and looked down on — while ironically being used and stolen from. Revolutions have happened right here in the hills of Eastern Kentucky—from those for workers’ rights, fights for quality healthcare, and the turning points that have fueled what it means to truly be successful in America’s last true frontier. Yet, crickets. Yet, thievery and cultural appropriation. Yet, a lack of respect on such a grand scale that Appalachian people STILL feel apprehensive of people and entities outside the area because all we have ever been met with is disdain and disrespect.

So when you say in your article that “no good deed goes unpunished in Leslie County,” just know that we are the epitome of punishment in response to our own good deeds. Maybe you should also avoid trying to polarize and politicize an issue that you know little to nothing about— considering there are those on all ends of the political spectrum who can still understand greed and corruption. Liberals, conservatives, and independents have all voiced their anger in response to Frontier Nursing University- because at the end of the day the truth will stand when the world ends.

And the truth is that Frontier Nursing University has strayed from the mission they claim to have. They have greedily made a profit off of the supposed mission to serve rural Appalachia, and ultimately are the most disgusting and hypocritical kind of organization.

So, yes ... the Herald Leader’s coverage might seem one-sided but it’s because the right side is often something many people don’t want to be bothered with hearing.

To be honest — your article struck a nerve not because of the things you said, but because of the proof that so many people in Appalachia have speculated about. You still in 2020 harbor stereotypical bias, and YOU and those outside our home still have negative attitudes about a region and people that have done a great deal for the state and the country.

I ask that you visit Leslie County and research a bit more before writing an article that only continues to perpetuate the ideas and attitudes that blaspheme Appalachia in such a passive and misinformed way. Thank you.

Ladetra Morgan is a middle school ELA teacher, a mom to two beautiful boys, and a proud resident of Leslie County in the heart of Appalachia.