The Military Culture of "Be All You Can Be" Patriarchy
(Inside the military and in the lands they invade and occupy)

December 9, 2012 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us

 

As a part of the Call "N17: Take to the Streets! Stop the War on Women!" by the movement to "End Pornography and Patriarchy: The Enslavement and Degradation of Women," Revolution Books Atlanta brainstormed with some people to come up with a bold expression that could be taken to the annual School of America's Watch (SOAW) at Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday, November 17. People come from all over the country (and some other parts of the world) to participate in the SOAW protest demanding the closing of the School of Americas because of its program of training reactionary armies from Latin America in CIA torture techniques, and consequently being responsible for torturing and murdering tens of thousands of people over the years.

Since the military is such a concentration of the oppression of women, we really wanted to bring out the whole culture of patriarchy it embodies. We decided it would be important to have an interactive piece that would draw people in and find out their thoughts on the war on women. We waited until we got to the protest to put it together in order to bring others into the process on the spot. Three young women enthusiastically took it up right away. The title of the piece was "The Military Culture of 'Be All You Can Be' Patriarchy (Inside the Military and in the Lands they Invade and Occupy)." We had a very bright piece of yellow felt that was 7' x 8'. One of the women laid down and her body was outlined on the fabric. Then we attached pieces of paper in the shape of bullets going into and exiting the outline of the woman's body, with words on each bullet: Rape, Pornography, Sexual Harassment, Homophobia, Torture, Degradation of Women, Denial of Abortion, Prostitution, Strip Clubs. As people came by to check out the display they added more to it, expanding the Homophobia bullet to include Transphobia, Heterosexism and Cissexism; and adding more bullets for Sex Trafficking, Domestic Violence and Glass Ceiling. Attached at the bottom of the display was a scroll of paper for people to write their comments, and next to that was the mission statement of "End Pornography and Patriarchy: The Enslavement and Degradation of Women." The whole piece was taped down in the middle of the street leading to the entrance of the military base that had been closed off for the protest.

The exhibit had a powerful effect. It attracted and provoked people throughout the day, which was evident by the conversations that broke out and the comments that were written. Women and men of all ages stopped to check it out, but young women were particularly drawn to it, writing the most comments and returning throughout the day to re-check it out. Since SOAW is faith-based, there was some controversy around the abortion issue, which was reflective in a couple people's comments both verbally and written, and some lively exchange. A former nun wrote, "I agree with everything except abortion," and right under her comment a young woman wrote, "My body, My Choice!" One young man came up and said, "Pornography is so horrible, it really messes up men, they don't know how to have a real connection with women."

What really stood out is the potential for the movement to really grow and have real impact, particularly among young women.

Other powerful and thoughtful comments:

  • "Objectification of women needs to STOP! Women should not just be identified by their bodies!"
  • "Thank you. Support a world for ALL!"
  • "Actions for my granddaughter and generations to come."
  • "This is great! The unfortunate thing is that the U.S. culture brainwashes women (& men) that these atrocities are natural and that there is no alternative (it's w/in human nature). Thanks for illuminating this falsity."
  • "I was NOT expecting this @ all. An eye opener. Thanks =)"
  • "That's awesome! Keep our sisters safe!"
  • "When did gender become an evolutionary disadvantage?"
  • "Dismantle the U.S. Military NOW!"
  • "Stop slut slamming & victim blaming—assault is never the fault of the victim/survivor! <3 teach not to rape, not how to avoid rape—Change rape culture."
  • "I am not a tool to use and abuse—(signed) Female."
  • "Stop the oppression, consumption and sexualization of women. Liberate both women from their oppressors and liberate men from the system that perpetuates sexism. Sexism must be abolished for both men and women."
  • "Rape is a form of torture, silencing women and framing them as a victim. Many brave women have stood up to this and proves that we will not be silenced."

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