Challenging Conventional Thought

The topic of colonization, and Professor Yellow Bird's style with "decolonization" has generated a few thoughts for me. This all started from one of the readings by Michael Yellow Bird, On the Justice of Charging Buffalo: "Who Stole American Indians Studies?" (This article can be retrieved at: http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/wicazo_sa_review/v022/22.1yellow_bird.pdf). Yellow Bird suggests that "truth telling" scholarly practices are being restricted from the academic field, which is essentially limiting our ability and opportunities to think critically (2007). Yellow Bird uses the case between Ward Churchill and the University of Colorado throughout the article to support this belief. I learned that Churchill's publications and teachings were challenged and eliminated from University of Colorado, because Churchill's work went against the "political, academic, and public interests of those who are best served by U.S. imperialism" (Yellow Bird, 2007). The case between Churchill and the University of Colorado reminded me of a conversation I had with a co-worker a while back. In this conversation, my co-worker talked about an ex-professor, Manuel Callahan, of Humboldt State University. (http://www.humboldt.edu/~mc92/) Callahan received similar criticisms on his teaching practices at HSU. In the eyes of other professionals, Callahan was considered to be too radical at HSU, because he openly spoke against and challenged the norms of conventional thought. It seems like the Churchills and Callahans are controversial due to their provocative styles in the academic field. It seems like their non-conforming beliefs and their critical minds are not welcomed. It seems like toning down a message has become the norm and just another attempt to form some type of conforming.


Kevin Tillman Hits A Home Run!!! Now That's Patriotic!

"Somehow being politically informed, diligent, and skeptical has been replaced by apathy through active ignorance…In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don’t be shocked when our grand kids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that “somehow” was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites. " Kevin Tillman
So, thinking about the Churchill's and Callahan's has stirred some unsettling thoughts. This all got me thinking...Who's inspired and provoked some stimulating thoughts for me? Kevin Tillman was the first person to pop into my head. KevinTillman (writer, army ranger, ex-professional baseball player, and brother and friend of Pat Tillman) delivered a very powerful document about 3 years ago before the 2006 elections. In his document, Kevin speaks loudly against the Iraq and Afghanistan war crimes. He challenges American patriotism that has led to a culture of comfort, tolerance and ignorance. He screams out loud, hoping that we will all wake up and do something.
Video Clip on Kevin Tillman's Article Here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3934952936303661485&ei=WkHESvXwOJjqqwLXs4jhBg&q=kevin+tillman&hl=en


Link to Kevin Tillman's Article Here: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday/