The Emotional Divide: Pro-Palestinian Protests Remind Journalist of Past Activism During the Vietnam War

Harvard University historian Julie Rubin has observed the ongoing pro-Palestinian and anti-war protests on American university campuses in response to the situation in Gaza, and sees striking similarities with past movements in the United States. The deep divisions over Gaza and the use of police by some universities to intervene on their campuses remind her of the student demonstrations protesting the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s.

During this time, there was a surge in student demonstrations across the United States, including civil rights, student rights, freedoms, and opposition to the Vietnam War. This period of intense activism lasted for six years and is considered a unique moment in American history. While demonstrations have continued over the years, they have not reached the same level of intensity as they did during this time.

The current protests calling for universities to cut ties with companies or donors linked to Israel echo similar calls to end funding for South Africa during the apartheid regime. Like the Vietnam War protests, the situation in Gaza has sparked strong emotional divisions among students and the wider community.

Despite differences in scale, one notable aspect of these current protests is their speed of spread across multiple universities. While university administrators initially reacted harshly to student protests during the 1960s, later they learned that allowing demonstrations could lead to a quicker resolution. Today, some universities are calling for police intervention in response to protests, which stands in contrast to past practices where administrative responses were less severe.

Overall, Julie Rubin sees parallels between these current student demonstrations regarding Gaza and past movements related to emotionally charged and divisive issues like the Vietnam War. The response from universities and society reflects ongoing debates about activism on college campuses and how authorities should respond to protest movements.