Analysis

Ward Churchill’s case is important because of it represents the latest round in an on-going battle to eviscerate academic freedom, eliminate ethnic studies, and corporatize education.

Law professor Terry Smith concludes, “Ward Churchill’s odyssey through the courts may well come to define not merely the latest juncture in an evolving First Amendment jurisprudence but to some degree, how free we remain as a people.”

Many scholars have written critiques of CU's attacks on Ward Churchill:

Many scholarly studies discussing this case include:

Edward J. Carvalho and David B. Downing, eds., Works and Days: Academic Freedom and Intellectual Activism in the Post-9/11 University (forthcoming 2008), featuring:

  • Derrick Bell, “Academic Freedom in Political Perspective”
  • Eric Cheyfitz, “Framing Ward Churchill: The Political Construction of Research Misconduct”
  • Richard Delgado, “Of Cops and Bumper Stickers: Notes Toward a Theory of Selective Prosecution,” Syracuse Law Review, Vol. 57, 175-185 (2007).
  • Richard Delgado, “Shooting the Messenger,” American Indian Law Review, Vol. 30, 477-494 (2005-2006).
  • Deborah Waire Post, “Academic Freedom as Private Ordering: Politics and Professionalism in the 21st Century,” Loyola (New Orleans) Law Review, Vol. 53, 177-215 (Summer 2007).
  • Terry Smith, “Speaking Against Norms: Public Discourse and the Economy of Racialization in the Workplace,” American University Law Review, Vol. 57, 523-584 (Feb. 2008).
  • Rex S. Wirth, Thomas R. Whiddon, and Tony J. Manson, eds., What is Wrong with Academia Today? Essays on the Politicization of American Education (2008); – includes Ward Churchill, “The Myth of Academic Freedom,” at 135-204.
  • Michael Yellow Bird, “On the Justice of Charging Buffalo: ‘Who Stole American Indians Studies?’ Redux, Wicazo Sa Review, 91-99 (Spring 2007)