Response to "Sneak Attack: The Militarization of U.S Culture" Women's Lives

This selection emphasized how sneaky and seductive U.S militarization can be in our society. Aspects of this are showing up in all corners of modern culture. It doesn't help that since September 11th, not showing support of the military has been seen as unpatriotic and disloyal. In fact, it is this increased militarization of our culture that largely allowed George W. Bush to go to war in the first place. This cultural militarization has made war seem patriotic, romantic, and has even inspired a sense of security in our society. Evidence of militarization can be seen in most aspects of culture today. In high schools all over the nation, ROTC, Marines, Air Force, and Navy representatives are allowed to station booths in lunch rooms in order to advertise the benefits of joining to young, impressionable teens. In colleges, many students pursue degrees in military weaponry and in weapons engineering. Exposing kids at young ages to the benefits of militarization instills this distorted sense of patriotism at a young age. 

Even in beauty pageants, many of the judges have a lucrative military career that is widely publicized in the competition. What does this say to young women and girls watching these competitions? Not only does it show them what they should consider beautiful, but it also illustrates that military men are men to be respected and admired. I'm not saying this is a bad thing at all, but it is a good example of how militarization has seeped into many aspects of everyday culture. 

And then there is the presence of Hummers on our highways. While these originally were meant as military vehicles, average civilians have been able to purchase and drive them. What do these say about their drivers? They make drivers appear more intimidating and deserving of respect on the roadway, much like the intent of military hummers. Much like military presence in beauty pageants, this illustrates to citizens that anyone in the military is to be respected and admired. 

This respect and admiration makes people feel much more comfortable and secure with letting the military make decisions regarding national security. Whether this is a good thing remains up for debate. I think increased militarization in society today leaves the door open for manipulation by military and political leaders; if they hide behind the reasoning that what they are doing is a matter of national security, they can do virtually anything. I don't know about anyone else, but the fact that these people can wield that much power over an entire nation, especially a democratic one, frightens me. 

As U.S citizens, do we not have the right to know what goes on in our White House and Pentagon? Is it better that we not know? Are the people currently in power manipulating us and our values regarding democracy? Do we sacrifice our democratic ideals for national security? Is this a fair trade? 

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