links for 2011-01-17

"In the decision Friday, Cherokee Nation District Court Judge John Cripps wrote that the post-Civil War treaty signed by the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. government specifically addressed the status of freedmen — former slaves who had been owned by tribal members. The treaty provided that freedmen and their descendants 'shall have all the rights of native Cherokees,' Cripps wrote."

"In assessing our greatest leaders of all time, what statement are we making about the times in which we live? We definitely shouldn't view this as just a top ten list. Instead, we should really ask ourselves what leaders, if any, would resonate today. Just because a person's contribution during their era remains undeniable does not necessarily mean that those same tactics are still viable. Regardless of who tops the list or gets overlooked, the overall point is that it's time for us to turn our full on attention onto leadership."

"I could care less about a lot of reality TV shows because they err on the side of exhibitionism instead of introspection. But this opportunity seems markedly different. It allows students to learn from an act of resistance by reenacting it and provides a platform to share how this experience affects their notions of contemporary civic engagement. This is an example of how reality TV can be used for social good while promoting the growth and development of an individual. That combination stands to be a beautiful thing. So, if you are between 18 and 25, and you care about civic engagement and learning from history, apply!"