Famed Historian Visits Home State

Friday, April 6th 2007, 7:47 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Nationally recognized historian and native Oklahoman John Hope Franklin on Friday criticized the Cherokee Nation for a recent tribal vote that excluded descendants of Cherokee slaves from tribal membership.

The 92-year-old Franklin says no group should try to disassociate itself from another group that for so long has been part of its history.

Cherokee Chief Chad Smith has said that as a sovereign nation, the tribe has a right to determine its identity.

In a round-table discussion with reporters at the Oklahoma History Center, Franklin said he also didn't understand all the speculation about whether the United States is ready for a woman president or a black president.

Franklin says he's been ready for one or the other his whole life.

The Rentiesville native co-wrote the classic text, "From Slavery to Freedom," which soon will be in its ninth edition.