History Professors Plan Iraq War Teach-In Oct. 24
Contact: Alexander Grab, 581-1928; George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — A group of University of Maine history professors opposed to the war in Iraq will hold a “teach-in” Oct. 24 on the Orono campus to offer background and historical perspective on the subject.
The public is invited to the free forum, starting at 7 p.m. in Room 101, Neville Hall. Speakers participating in “The Iraq War and The Elections: A Teach-In Sponsored by Historians against the War” include UMaine history professors Alex Grab, Ngo-Vinh Long, Nathan Godfried, Beth McKillen and Michael Lang. Also, Brian Clement, UMaine history student and an Iraq war veteran, and Scott Ruffner, a local political activist, will speak.
The event is part of a national educational initiative by historians who oppose the war. Similar forums are scheduled in the coming weeks across the country, and at the University of Southern Maine on Oct. 19, according to co-organizer Grab.
“A lot of people are very confused about this war,” Grab says. “They may oppose the war but they don’t have much in the way of a historical context.”
Polls show the war is currently the biggest issue facing Americans, Grab says, and upcoming elections could influence the outcome of the United States’ involvement in it. Area residents are invited to take advantage of the university’s pool of experts who can provide background information and answer questions about the war.
“We also would like students to be more knowledgeable about the war and what Iraq is about,” he says. “The idea is to provide information about the history of Iraq and the US policies in the Middle East as well as the current situation there. We would like people to understand how and why the US became involved in Iraq.”
The forum will last about two hours, the first half devoted to speakers and the second half devoted to questions and answers.
While speakers will argue against the war, Grab says it’s important for people who support the war to feel welcome to attend, listen, and challenge the speakers.
Ngo-Vinh Long is an expert on the Vietnam War and will draw comparisons between that war and the Iraq War. Professors Beth McKillen and Nathan Godfried are experts on the history of US foreign policy and will shed light on US policy in the Middle East with a special focus on Iraq. Brian Clement can provide “not just a historical context, but first-hand information” about what it is like to be a part of the war, Grab says.