Prof. Fahed Masalkh Contrasts Today’s Protests With the Vietnam Era

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Professor Fahed Masalkh, senior teaching faculty and Arabic Language Program co-coordinator, serves as a cultural guide. Reflecting on his role, he states, “I believe in education’s power to bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding.”

Following the Sterling Hall explosion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which claimed Robert Fassnacht’s life, our investigative report focuses on key figures—Leo Burt, David Fine, Carl Armstrong, and Dwight Armstrong. Beyond detailing motivations and Burt’s fugitive status, our inquiry delves into the legal consequences faced by the bombers. Karl Armstrong served seven of 23 years, and Dwight Armstrong and David Fine served three.

Establishing parallels between historical and contemporary struggles, Masalkh notes, “In the anti-Vietnam War protests, debates over punishment severity for dissenters were contentious. Empathy for those affected by the war fueled the movements. Similarly, in current protests against war in Palestine, discussions on punishment severity for activists and the struggle to foster empathy for the Palestinian narrative take center stage.”

Amid ongoing student protests on the Palestine-Israel war and drawing parallels with historical Vietnam War demonstrations, the professor contemplated the fate of a Muslim individual in a similar act, given Islamophobia and post-9/11 impacts. Contrasting penalties on the Sterling Hall bombers with a hypothetical Muslim participant (or with the Oklahoma City bombers), our report explores how 9/11 shaped public opinion, revealing societal responses to dissent and political violence.

Masalkh asserts that the anti-Vietnam War protests and today’s activism against the war in Palestine share a generational defiance against established norms.

Emphasizing a common thread of questioning government actions, he underscores the skepticism prevalent during both eras.

He believes there has been a significant shift in views among the younger generation engaged in present-day protests, echoing the tumultuous spirit of the past. This sentiment resonates not only with the Israel-Palestine conflict but also aligns with movements such as Black Lives Matter, where a similar generational challenge to norms and heightened scrutiny of government actions emerged.

Masalkh addresses the complexities of justice within student activism by examining historical protests and drawing parallels with contemporary movements. Masalkh emphasizes the generational defiance against established norms, highlighting a common thread of questioning government actions.

The professor delves into the hypothetical scenario of a Muslim individual’s involvement in activism. He explores shifting views on Israel, the intersection of Islamophobia with politics, and the media’s role in shaping public perceptions. Masalkh also reflects on challenges within the U.S. legal system, accountability issues, and the negative portrayal of Islam rooted in geopolitical conflicts and historical narratives. His synthesis bridges historical protests to current activism, underlining the enduring threads of activism across generations within the ever-evolving protest landscape.

Discussing Oct. 7, Masalkh notes, “It’s significance is more related to regional issues than U.S. citizens’ awareness.” He highlights how this awareness is overshadowed by the War on Terror narrative, stating, “In the Palestinian situation, labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization is used to downplay or distract from Palestinian pain.”

Delving into perspectives on punishment and empathy, Masalkh remarks, “For individuals linked to acts of terror, the prevailing sentiment is that security takes precedence.” Additionally, discussing empathy challenges with the Palestinian narrative, he emphasizes, “Fully comprehending or connecting with the Palestinian experience remains elusive.”

Examining the impact of cultural and religious biases, Masalkh expressed optimism about the evolving media landscape. He stated, “While public perception poses a challenge, the changing media scene offers opportunities for more balanced narratives.”

Insights into shifting views on Israel among the youth resonate in Masalkh’s words: “Approximately 70% of young people, including Jewish youth, exhibit diminishing interest and connection to Israel.” He underscores the challenges faced by Israel in maintaining support, noting, “The challenge is evident as it becomes harder for Israel to sustain a victim position, especially with a powerful military.”

Drawing parallels to historical protests, Masalkh observes, “Similar to the anti-Vietnam War protests on college campuses, including UW-Madison, the hypothetical scenarios echo the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 1970s.”

The professor emphasizes, “Islamophobia remains a concerning factor, even influencing legal proceedings such as those at Guantanamo.” He further observes the intersection of Islamophobia with politics, stating, “Elections in pivotal states like Wisconsin and Michigan, where Muslim populations wield influence, could significantly sway outcomes.”

Examining potential responses to extensive Muslim involvement, Masalkh asserts, “The public reaction would vary if a Muslim individual were implicated.” He provides context, emphasizing, “The sensitivity of the act increases in light of events such as the War on Terror and 9/11.”

In drawing connections between historical roots and contemporary concerns, Masalkh reflects, “During the Vietnam War protests, overt Islamophobia might have been absent, but biases against specific groups were sown.” The intersection of Islamophobia with politics, as discussed by Masalkh, echoes historical influences on perceptions during protests, persisting today.

Masalkh observes a continuity between historical protests and the present, highlighting that the negative portrayal of Islam in the media, as discussed by him, extends to its impact on depicting protest movements. The media’s role in shaping public perceptions stands as a common thread connecting challenges faced by activists then and now.

Masalkh highlights challenges within the U.S. legal system, noting exceptions during periods of fear and crisis despite its designed checks and balances. Emphasizing the repercussions of the War on Terror, he underscores that the consequences of this prolonged military engagement are not acutely felt by the general population.

Drawing parallels with historical protests, he comments, “Legal exceptions during crises, attempts to legalize extreme measures, and extraterritorial actions echo the historical struggles of activists and the legal hurdles faced by those protesting against war today.”

Expressing concerns about accountability, Masalkh remarks, “The lack of accountability in political decisions, despite the war’s significant costs, underscores a failure in democratic principles.” He raises questions about fairness, stating, “The intricate dance between politics and Islamophobia remains a pertinent and concerning aspect of contemporary discourse.”

Drawing connections between historical and contemporary struggles, Masalkh points out a parallel lack of accountability during the Iraq War reminiscent of the historical context of anti-Vietnam War protests. He underscores the prioritization of citizens’ rights over universal human rights as a concern, echoing in contemporary protests where questions of justice and fairness persist.

Exploring perceptions of Islam, Masalkh notes, “The uphill battle for Muslims in shaping public perception is largely attributed to the media landscape.” He observes a glimmer of hope, stating, “While there is still some influence from major networks, the landscape has become more open.”

Establishing a link between historical and present circumstances, Masalkh notes, “During the anti-Vietnam War protests, perceptions of Islam as a challenge for the West were subtly interwoven into the broader societal fabric.” Emphasizing the contemporary relevance, he points out, “Today, geopolitical considerations, particularly those tied to the Israel-West connection, contribute to the negative portrayal of Islam, shaping perceptions of protesters and their causes.”

However, the nature of the demonstrations distinguishes the two eras. During the Vietnam War protests, the atmosphere was marked by student unrest, often escalating into riotous events that led to police intervention.

Studies at universities were halted, and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement were not uncommon, resulting in arrests and violence. In contrast, present-day demonstrations, particularly those expressing solidarity with the innocent people affected by war, exhibit a less severe tone. Students express their support without necessitating the intervention of security forces, allowing academic activities to proceed without disruption.

Despite the calmer atmosphere, those standing in solidarity with the Palestinians face their own set of challenges, given the post-9/11 climate, with concerns about discrimination and violence affecting this group disproportionately, he said.