University of Virginia Library

Professor Educates Others
With Tea, Propaganda, Door

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By RICK KNIESLER

If you have ever been on
the first floor of Randall Hall,
you must have noticed the
door of room 110. Those who
have never been there may
wonder what is so unusual. It's
the door, which is cluttered
with anti-war propaganda.

Assoc. History Prof. John
W. Israel is the man behind the
door, and although its protest
theme never changes, he alters
the display "whenever I have
the time to change it, or if
someone brings something
interesting."

"Presently there is a large
effort to raise medical aid for
Indochina. I feel every one has
a responsibility to pay for the
damage, since we have caused
much of it," said Mr. Israel,
referring to the large amount
of Indo-China information on
the decorated door.

A Chinese History
instructor, Mr. Israel's total
involvement with the Eastern
world is noticeable inside the
office. A jar of Chinese tea is
kept available for a break
between classes or for any
guest who might stop in.
Posters on the wall reflect
Chinese culture, and the
bookshelves that fill one wall
contain numerous volumes on
China and her people.

Mr. Israel received his M.D.
in History from the University

of Wisconsin and "plunged
right into Chinese History at
Harvard" for his graduate
work. "I went into the field as
a blind man," he remarked,
and have enjoyed it ever
since."

It is very obvious that Mr.
Israel enjoys talking about
China and is eager to know
more about the people and the
country. He will return to
Taiwan next year for a second
visit and will also spend some
time in Hong Kong on a
University Sesquicentennial
Fellowship.

"Undoubtedly, my interest
in Chinese history has had a
role in my anti-war activities,"
he remarked. This interest
increased, he said, "when the
war was escalated in 1965, and
there were no Vietnam experts
who knew enough about the
situation."

As for himself, Mr. Israel
attributes his involvement in
protest movements to the