On this day, October 2, in 1947

Outspoken writer and political activist Ward Churchill was born in Illinois. While there has been some controversy surrounding Churchill’s Native American identity, he has unarguably produced some important writings and provides a valuable historical and social analysis. He often writes about the US government’s displacement and exploitation of Native American people, their lands and their culture. He has even written about the FBI’s racist Counter Intelligence Program. Then, after 9/11 Churchill wrote a controversial essay about the incident, arguing that US foreign policies provoked the attacks. He also took that opportunity to point blame at American imperialism calling it genocidal.