The auditorium of the School of Global and International Studies at IU was packed on Nov. 18 for a teach-in by various IU faculty regarding the Paris terrorist attacks.
Professor Leslie Lenkowsky spoke about his role as the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service during George W. Bush’s presidency.
After 9/11, Bush sent Lenkowsky to Dearborn, Michigan, to get a better understanding of Arab-American sentiment towards the U.S. Lenkowsky spoke of some Arab-Americans telling him that they wished to be seen not just as Arabs, but as Americans, too.
Lenkowsky concluded his speech by suggesting that we should reassess Arab-Americans’ loyalty to the U.S.
Equally appalling was that the majority of the audience, including most panelists, applauded Lenkowsky. Maybe some agreed with him, while others succumbed to a kneejerk reaction to maintain social hegemony or social custom.
Whether due to agreement, primate mentality or courteousness, I am distraught by everyone that applauded. This should be an environment for critical thinking.
I do not believe we should applaud someone simply because sounds emit from their mouth.
Another panelist, Professor Feisal Istrabadi, sternly criticized Lenkowsky’s remarks. Thankfully, the audience applauded again, louder and more enthusiastically.
All of you who applauded Lenkowsky should think about what his remarks, and the message you send by your applause, could entail. While thinking about it, research the U.S.’s history of ethnic internment camps, genocide and systemic racism. If you applauded both Lenkowsky and Istrabadi’s reply, also read up on cognitive dissonance and some of the historically atrocious outcomes of groupthink.
As for Professor Lenkowsky, I pose a few questions for you. How exactly should we go about testing the loyalty of Arab-Americans?
Secondly, as one of Slavic and Jewish ancestry, do you believe that we should also question the loyalty of you and others that share your ethnic backgrounds because of terrorist acts perpetrated by some Russians or Israelis?
Lastly, if the Corporation for National and Community Service cannot even keep track of how many AmeriCorps volunteers we have, how do we keep track of the loyalties of all the Arab-Americans living in the U.S.?
Brandon Williams
IU student
