Demilitarization for Social Justice

This essay argues that demilitarization is a crucial part of working for social justice. Militarism's central distortion is that organized state violence is essential in providing security, yet many feminists, environmentalists, and indigenous activists have shown that militarism creates insecurity and injustice for subjugated peoples, for many within dominant nations, and for the planet. The author draws on her experiences of teaching courses on these topics and participating in community events that discuss militarism and demilitarization in creative ways. Conflicts, wars, and preparations for war all tear apart connections among people, and between people and the land that sustains them. Demilitarization includes remaking these ties, rehumanizing those who have been defined as enemies, and healing the devastation caused by military operations. The author argues for supportive contexts and frameworks as feminist scholars and teachers continue to work for progressive change even as past gains are being attacked and unraveled. Although the political climate for women's and gender studies has become more challenging, past organizing for social justice in this country as well as the many efforts currently underway all provide lessons, models, and inspiration.