'Vietnam Syndrome: Lessons and Legacies of a Divisive War' at the AAMI

The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) will host a discussion about how the effects of Vietnam continue to impact United States international relations today. Entitled “The Vietnam Syndrome: Lessons and Legacies of a Divisive War,” and lead by Coe College Associate Professor of History Dr. Derek Buckaloo, this 45-minute presentation and open discussion will be held Thursday July 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the AAMI's temporary exhibit “Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African Americans.” The museum will be offering free admission on July 21 and encourages visitors to come early and tour the exhibit before hearing Professor Buckaloo speak.

Professor Buckaloo says "The Vietnam War is still a haunting experience for many Americans, as well as a potent analogy for present-day political debates about foreign policy, as many recent examples, including debates over how to leave Iraq and Afghanistan, make clear. In so many ways, decisions about war and peace, as well as how historical events are remembered, tell us important things about how Americans see their own country and the world. And, of course, not all Americans see these things in the same way, which is part of why a failure like the Vietnam War proves so haunting."

Made possible by a grant through Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities, this event is 1 of 23 events in a series of statewide programs designed to educate the public on the military involvement of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Other programs are taking place in Burlington, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Iowa City. The series of statewide programs takes place in conjunction with the AAMI's current temporary exhibit “Unconditional Loyalty,” which will be on display until December 17, 2011.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on this or other programs visit the AAMI website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 22. The African American Museum of Iowa is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.