Imani Tafari-Ama | Fulbright: Proposing peace in a warring world

Nine months ago, I joined 34 colleagues who had embarked on the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) journey. This Fellowship enables scholars to assume duties in various universities in the United States of America (USA). I was hosted by the Anthropology Department at the University of Massachusetts at Boston (UMass Boston). I taught Caribbean Cultures, Anthropology of the Object, and Transnational Feminism. I also gave five guest lectures at UMass and three lectures at Xavier University of Louisiana, the latter under the Fulbright Outreach Lecturer programme.

During autumn, I watched the leaves change from verdant green to glorious golden browns, purples and oranges. They fell copiously, creating maddening work for gardeners. In winter, it was mournful to see the trees, denuded of covering, standing starkly against an unyielding and gloomy sky. Winter also witnessed the arrival of snow, gentle and sometimes swiftly swirling then disappearing miraculously when it rained. Now in spring, I am awed by the lush return of green, the vivid colours of spring flowers, mingling with unrepentant sunshine, heralding summer. Seeing these dramatic seasonal transformations provided space for possibility thinking. Change is not only possible, it is inevitable.

The Fulbright is the USA’s flagship academic award. It is hosted by the State Department and administered by the International Institute of Education (IIE). Applications are made through the US embassy. The prestigious programme is named after Senator William J Fulbright who gained cross-cultural understanding as a Rhodes Scholar in London. This experience would inspire his political thinking and serve as a decision-making reference point throughout his career.

Following the termination of the Second European (World) War in 1945, Senator Fulbright established the Fulbright scholarship to encourage USA citizens to be more peaceful and less hostile in their international relations. Although he was reputedly a segregationist, Senator Fulbright still sought to put in place an educational endeavour that would contribute to improving mechanisms of global intercultural communication. He believed that investing in education would pay dividends because today’s students are the power brokers of tomorrow.

In one of his famous quotes the much-loved senator said that, “at its best, education aims to bring forth in a man (sic) nothing more or less than the best of his human capacities.” However, Senator Fulbright was operating in the context of an entrenched white supremacist model of settler colonialism. The USA’s development has advanced on the backs of dehumanised, oppressed and exploited indigenous and African populations. While initially benefiting USA citizens, the Fulbright fellowship has evolved to include candidates from countries from around the globe. Visiting Fulbrighters engage in research for a semester or a year while the Fulbright SIR hosts lecturers who contribute teaching expertise over similar periods.

SIGNIFICANT AND SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS

The two-year return stipulation of the contract (in the case of Jamaica) also ensures that fellows make a commitment to share the lessons learned from the transnational educational encounters with their local communities. Applying principles of respect for difference and the combination of academic and experiential learning ensures that the benefits derived are significant and sustainable.

Educators also have responsibility for the development of students’ critical consciousness. This was the philosophy and practice of Brazilian Scholar Activist Paulo Freire. He excited liberation thinkers in the 1970s with the concept of conscientisation. This encouraged educators to challenge their students to treat learning as an opportunity for freedom. Radical feminist bell hooks adopted this concept and applied it well as an accomplished professor.

While classrooms are supposed to be the last bastion of critical thinking and problem solving, this tradition is currently under threat. During this period of my USA sojourn, some educational institutions have been flashpoints of political confrontation and silencing mechanisms to restrain educators from carrying out their mandate.

This contention has come about because of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. The indivisible relationship between the USA and Israel has resulted in legal restraints against antisemitism. This is defined as any criticism of Israel. However, some analysts challenge this definition, indicating that a distinction must be drawn between Zionism and Judaism.

Widespread student protests for and against the ongoing genocide in Gaza erupted at various universities in the USA, catalysing a chain reaction in some 90 universities around the world. Students are demanding that Israel-supported institutions like Columbia University in New York should divest from corporations that profit from Israel’s war on Gaza. Hundreds of students have been arrested, while some have been suspended or expelled. Meanwhile, the number of civilians killed in Gaza – mostly women and children – has topped 35,000, with nearly 80,000 persons reported as injured. In an election year, the severe suppression of students’ freedom of speech is bound to have negative consequences if the disruption of campaign speeches by leading politicians is any indicator of possible voting trends.

As these events have unfolded, I could not help wondering, what would have been Senator Fulbright’s strategy for solving the inequality conundrum? How would he have remedied the breaches in human rights, citizen security and justice mechanisms at home and abroad? History provides clues for answers. The Arkansas representative revealed in his speeches that he opposed USA’s war in Vietnam and promoted peace as the solution to the antagonistic responses of power brokers seeking dominance. He maintained that “one of the principal reasons for the deterioration of the domestic economy is its preoccupation with warfare.”

Senator Fulbright served under Presidents Truman, Johnson and Kennedy and was President Bill Clinton’s mentor so he knew all about what happens when the rubber hits the road. He consistently critiqued the proverbial prick of hawkish USA foreign policy and a chronically war-driven economy. For decades, the USA has been fuelling destabilising wars in numerous countries as a mechanism of exercising power and colonising resources.

I can testify that I have had two extraordinary semesters at UMass Boston, thanks to enabling staff and responsive students. The lack of politicised investment in this institution’s coffers is one reason it did not experience the ongoing student resistance. This suggests that while endowments are enabling, they come at a heavy price.

The idea of scholars spreading peace through educational endeavours is more important today than ever because the world is fraught with intractable conflicts. Respect for difference is fundamental to creating an egalitarian environment.

Imani Tafari-Ama, PhD, is a Pan-African advocate and gender and development specialist. Send feedback to i.tafariama@gmail.com.