CU Professor Sparks Protests

By Jeralyn Merritt      January 29, 2005 9:40 AM

Ward Churchill is the chairman of the ethnic studies program at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is causing quite a ruckus in upstate New York because he will be speaking at Hamilton College in Clinton. In this day and age, what could be so controversial? How about harsh criticism of the victims of the September 11 attacks, and praise for the hijackers?
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, Churchill wrote an essay that hailed the "gallant sacrifices" of the "combat teams" that struck America. He said the World Trade Center victims deserved to die because they were a willing part of "the mighty engine of profit." "True enough, they were civilians of a sort. But innocent? Gimme a break," Churchill wrote. Churchill went on to describe the victims as "little Eichmanns," a reference to Adolf Eichmann, who organized Adolf Hitler's plan to exterminate Jews during World War II.
Families of the 9/11 victims have embarked on an e-mail and letter writing campaign to the college to cancel Churchill's speech. No dice.
....the school is committed to the free exchange of ideas and diverse opinions and believes it is an appropriate part of the liberal arts education process.
CU officials also say Churchill has the right to speak his views. Yesterday, though, two Colorado congressmen asked Churchill to apologize.

I agree with Mr Churchill in one regard, there was a reason these people were willing to commit suicide and the head of the serpent was in the WTC. Does anyone remember that they went after it before and blew out a couple floors in the parking basement? Ask yourself who the "civilians" were that represented how many national banks(I heard 63 nationalities represented in the dead any updates on this?) When banks create money with pen stokes and developing nations suffer because they must submit to the orders of world banks from the G-7 the common people suffer and you don't need much beyond Adam Smith to understand where it comes from or who is pulling the strings. If Amerika and the rest of the nations ripping off the world don't get their heads on straight I can only suggest the obvious, more of this stuff will happen sooner or later!

I am Oglala Lakota and neither Russel Means Nor Ward ChurchHill the Generokee have anything to say on behalf of my people. I am pretty sure Ward ChurchHill Has never been to the Pine Ridge Reservation which he spoke of. Russel Means (although he is Lakota) is not a Oglala Lakota representative, and was recently defeated in our tribal elections because of his character. I do and will always believe in free speech, but think ol Ward is a chicken who has to use every means possible to keep his behind out of the sling. Be a man Ward, you grow your hair long and live a good life on a professor's salary in Boulder, but you have never helped Pine Ridge or even been there. Do not cower behind a people or nation who has problems of their own, that is a white thing to do. I would respect you more if you stood up for your convictions. Reservation indians would not rally behind you as urban ones have. Ho Hecetu Ye lo Mitakuye Oyasin Wakiyan Nape Chatka

Fact: 5280 did NOT report relevant facts. Failure to do so places you squarely in Ward Chruchill's camp, at his defense. Failure to present relevant facts to this matter implies you condone his stance and assertions with regards to those who died on 9/11. Who paid for him to travel from Colorado to New York to make this particular speech? Who paid for him to make this speech? Was it paid for by student fees? Was it paid for by a particular department at the university/college in Clinton? Was it a privately funded effort? If it was a privately funded effort, why is it being done on a college campus, that, presumably, receives tax dollars? Facts. That's what I am asking for. But the fact is, since you did not report the relevant facts under the guise of objective/professional journalism I, a member of The Great Unwashed Masses, which the Mainstream News Media views with undeniable and unabashed contempt and prejudice, am now obliged, at my own personal expense in the form of resources and time, must find out for myself. Is it any wonder, then, people, increasingly, have turned to bloggers to get relevant facts and truths? I don't expect perfection. I do expect, and should be allowed to receive, your best effort. In other words, when it comes to such stories as this one, you should do one thing: The best you can. Not the best that can be done. The best you can do. When you make excuses instead of taking responsibility and being accountable for not doing the best you can do you only go damage your own credibility and respectability. Prove me wrong, then, with the publication of relevant fact and truth.

James, How, in heaven's name, have we treated you with "undeniable and unabashed contempt and prejudice?" This is a blog that invites comments and participation from our readers. The item that has you so upset was just that, a blog item, that included links to other relevant articles. It wasn't an original article with original reporting. You may very well soon see that kind of article in 5280, and you should expect it to live up to the standards you've listed. We absolutely do not support Ward Churchill's position. Our blog item should have been clear on that front (I thought it was), and I stated that point even more directly to you. We're on the same side on this one.

James, while I appreciate your frequent posts here, it's hard for me to see how 5280 is running down America, especially as it relates to Ward Churchill, whose views I find deplorable.

I assume, given his speech is not taking place in Colorado, he is being paid for his speech. Who is paying and how much? Once more, the mainstream news media, including 5280, in its haste to run down the United States of America, cannot be bothered with such incidentials as basic facts.

Yes he does have a right to speak his views. In this country few things can be more important. However, he has no right to a job at a tax-payer funded school and if the citizens of Colorado don't like what he says, then his butt should indeed be fired and he can go to every over-educated deconstructivists back-up job-- pouring expresso's at Starbucks.
Call of Duty


33 Things Every Coloradan Should Know How To Do

The 33 things every Coloradan should know how to do.

Spring Break


Best New Restaurants 2014


Modern Glamour
