When speaking on the comparisons between the Iraq and Vietnam Wars, Professor of History Thomas Schwartz is reminded of a Mark Twain quote: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme a lot.”

As the war in Iraq enters its fifth year, the “rhymes” between the United States’ involvement in Vietnam and Iraq loom heavily on the minds of many American citizens.

“I think Americans are debating the wars in much the same way,” Schwartz said. “They are debating them in terms of whether the work itself is worth it, whether the sacrifice in men and treasure is worth it, and they are also debating it in terms of how to end it.”

Schwartz believes, however, that while there are similarities, the differences must not be forgotten.

“I think there are a lot of valid comparisons, but I think it is important always to remember how important the differences are in the context and situation as well,” Schwartz said.

High on Schwartz’s list of differences is the level of anti-war activism displayed by college students during the respective wars.
While demonstrations and protests have been held in opposition to the war in Iraq on Vanderbilt’s campus they have been few and far between.

“My own sense is that while anti-war movement activity exists, it is not a dominant issue for students, and here I would make the simple comparison that there is no selective service,” Schwartz said. “There is no draft.”

LOOKING BACK

The situation was quite different during the Vietnam era, when many college students were faced with the possibility of being drafted to serve in Vietnam.

Tom Hoy, who attended Vanderbilt from the fall of 1967 to the spring of 1971, was one of those students, and, though he was never drafted, he found himself active in the anti-Vietnam War movement.

According to Hoy, Nashville and Vanderbilt were hardly on the cutting edge of the anti-war movement, but students were involved. He dubbed Vanderbilt “the primary sight for the anti-war movement in Nashville.”

“There were a substantial number of students, including me, who thought the war was unjust, unlawful and not in anyone’s best interest — Americans or Vietnamese,” Hoy said.

Like Schwartz, Hoy has noticed a number of ways in which the war in Iraq compares to Vietnam.

“I think the war in Iraq has been misrepresented to the American people. I think the administration was incompetent or disingenuous in evaluating our prospects for success and defining success… They never had a plan B and they still don’t.”

Hoy also agrees that the primary reason the current movement has not had the traction that movements had during the Vietnam War is because of the lack of a draft.

“It doesn’t directly affect (students). That is the unpleasant reality,” Hoy said. “Also the number of deaths and the time involved in Iraq were substantially different.”

A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Elias Feghali is combating what he refers to as an apathetic university culture by taking part in Vanderbilt Students for Nonviolence, an organization he founded.

“I will do everything in my abilities in the struggle for truth and justice, and at this point this means participating in an organization I founded: Vanderbilt Students for Nonviolence ... and also helping other organizations and movements that need it,” Feghali said.

He attributes much of the apathy to the fact that “many students are more concerned with partying than global issues.”

“I don't blame them, although I see a major flaw in separating political involvement from social life,” Feghali said. “Getting involved in issues you believe in is invigorating, and frankly a lot of students are missing out on a great opportunity.”

He, too, sees the absence of a draft as a determining factor.

“I bet you if we were to have a draft you would see a lot more kids standing up in protest, mostly because a draft would affect people's lives directly.”

Despite the hesitancy of many Vanderbilt students to speak out against the war, Feghali believes there is a fair amount of people involved actively in the movement, evidenced by an anti-war protest held last month that involved more than 60 Vanderbilt students.

“There is a core group of activists on campus prepared to educate and agitate and provoke more people to join the movement for peace, truth, justice and equality,” Feghali said.