Report on the University of Delaware Teach-In
Our teach-in, organized by
four history faculty members, was held in a 50-person classroom that was more
than full during the entire two hours.
Choosing from the Historians
Against the War list, we invited David Farber from the Temple University
history department; our other main speaker was Kenneth Campbell, of the
University of Delaware political science department. Peter Kolchin, of our own department, served as a facilitator,
pointing out the major themes of their talks; Susan Strasser acted as chair of
the session. Our flyers asked “Why Are
We At War in Iraq?” and promised plenty of time for discussion.
Some activists showed up (one
from the Green Party and a handful from a weekly peace vigil that starts on
campus), along with a few vocal but polite pro-war speakers. Most of the audience seemed serious, intent
on learning something, and appreciative of the opportunity to talk about the
war on a normally quiescent campus.
Farber offered an analysis framed by a brief history of the Persian Gulf
region between World War I and 1979; Campbell, a longtime VVAW activist,
discussed material from his forthcoming book on Vietnam and Iraq as
quagmires. The discussion that followed
their 20-minute talks raised a wide range of questions.
We distributed flyers to faculty in a number of departments;
students from the campus civil liberties organization co-sponsored so that we
could use university bulletin boards, and they did the posting; one of our
organizers spread the word at the weekly vigil, and some of those people helped
with further publicity. The campus
paper ran an article on the teach-in and also an editorial, reprinted below.
Susan Strasser, <strasser@udel.edu>
History Department
[The following
editorial appeared in the October 24, 2006 issue of the University
of Delaware’s student
newspaper, The Review.]
Iraq debate good for students
Teach-in
builds conversation among univ. community
This week
professors around the country joined in a discussion about the War in Iraq.
As part of a nationwide Teach-in, arranged by the Historians Against
the War, professors and students engaged in conversation about the current
political issue. The university was a proud member of that nationwide group.
In a
throwback to the 1960s and 1970s, when college students fought for change in
society, the university community joined together to discuss a common cause.
Rather than preach the "No Blood for Oil" rhetoric that comes from
many war protesters, students and professors brought up relevant and varied
ideas as to how to approach the situation.
Most
importantly, students were introduced to the history of the war-torn country.
An issue not usually discussed when debating the war, Iraq's
history is a driving force behind the current conflicts.
One of
approximately 40 schools, the university actively discussed a movement brewing
under the surface of institutions nationwide.
As part of
the teach-in, professors actively shared methods they would use for effective
protesting. It is these professors who fought for change some 35 years ago that
should be heard and taken seriously. This teach-in did just that.
Yet,
students need to make sure that they do not come off as apathetic toward issues
as their professors are the only ones expressing their opinion. Students should
not be afraid to take the lead on such protests or teach-ins. Organization of
such rallies would go a long way in proving to the government that its citizens
desire change.
More than
simply joining a Facebook group against the war, these students should actively
voice their opinion and share ideas that might not have been considered by
these professors.
This was
one of hopefully many future debates that can open the university up to at
least discussing the current situation.
The recent
lack of conversation about the war is shocking. Hopefully this teach-in will go
a long way in building that conversation among students.