On January 10th, Friends Academy invited Dr. Kenneth Stein, Professor Emeritus of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science, and Israeli Studies at Emory University, to speak in advance of Peace Week. Dr. Stein is a native of Long Island, and after attending Franklin and Marshall for his undergraduate degree, he went on to attend the University of Michigan for his master’s degree. He wrote his dissertation on the history of Palestine in the 1920s and 1930s. In the decades following his doctoral degree, he became a well-known source of knowledge for Middle Eastern history.
A clear theme in Dr. Stein’s presentation was that history is viewed differently by people with different backgrounds. Dr. Stein stressed the importance of viewing history not from narratives but from facts. He also mentioned that it was crucial, regardless of who is in power, to understand maps and borders.
Dr. Stein went over some turning points in Middle Eastern history, and discussed how each one left a lasting legacy in the region. He also discussed how resources and economic differences lead to differences in how countries work, both politically and culturally. As political beliefs evolve and gain traction, they get passed down through generations, which is how many countries become known to the rest of the world as holding one type of thought. Dr. Stein specifically pointed out the differences between a country full of a variety of resources (such as the United States) versus certain countries in the Middle East which depend on one type of resource. The amount of resources available leads to the way countries interact with one another, and their attitude towards economics and society.
In accordance with Peace Week, Dr. Stein reflected on his experience as an advisor to former president Jimmy Carter in the years following Carter’s presidency. Dr. Stein described his time with Carter positively, and stated that Carter was a “mediator.” According to the professor, Carter’s background as a child growing up in a large, poor family that held opposing views on the changing world helped influence the policies and decisions made by Carter while he was in office. Carter believed that the decisions he made would benefit the American people as a whole, not just one group. According to Dr. Stein, Carter was also a leader who recognized the legitimacy of his fellow politicians, and he saw the good in everyone.
Dr. Stein’s visit served not only as a history lesson, but also a teaching in how to have productive conversations on topics that people have conflicting views on. His talk also served as a good reminder that there is value in understanding and actively participating in conversations on history. As he said, “yesterday appears today and will also likely appear tomorrow.”
