Feminism and War

The authors made several poignant points about the relationship between women and the military. As feminists, it is important for women to have equal opportunity and access to opportunities that men have been able to obtain. However, there is also danger for women in the military when they are able to enlist and be part of the organization along with their male counterparts. The authors talk about how women in the military are exposed to abuse and assault perpetuated by their fellow soldiers (10). They also pointed out that women back home are the ones who suffer and carry the burdens of war.

Throughout our semester, we’ve discussed that poverty is prevalent among women and women often are in need of services. This article points out that women suffer during war both at home and within countries targeted. People in other countries are killed by the U.S and women in the U.S are unable to receive access to services because of increasing costs for war (10). It’s ridiculous to think that the money that is going to military in order to “protect” us is also what causes damage to people in our country and harms women and other marginalized people. Those who need to be “protected” are the ones in danger from the very same people who supposedly protect our country.

It is also women in other countries who are being harmed by the U.S “protecting” themselves and creating “peace.” Women and queer people are killed and raped in order for the U.S military to create a false sense of international safety. Money that could be invested into the livelihoods and wellbeing of women in the U.S who desperately need it, is instead being funneled into a system that perpetuates harm and violence against people all over the world.

It’s ridiculous that people at home can be denied benefits in order to fund a violent institution. The authors did a good job in pointing out how military practices are hypocritical and do more harm than good. I’ve seen the argument that feminists who argue for equal pay should also argue for women being forced to enlist in the draft. In many people’s minds, feminism simply means women being equal to men, when in fact it is much more than that. Enlisting in the draft and being part of an imperialist system like the military is not feminist. The military displaces people all over the world and like I mentioned, the military is an instigator of violence on women.           

If the military is part of a system that often instigates violence towards women, children, and queer folk, can it also be feminist to join the army?

Stamps_Marla_Undocumented-Immigrant_Blog 5

In Olivia Salcido and Madelaine Adelman’s article, “He Has Me Tied with the Blessed and Damned Papers”: Undocumented-Immigrant Battered Women in Phoenix, Arizona. The authors argue that U.S policies are oppressing immigrant women.

Many people from Mexico come to America in search of better opportunities. And the reason for that is due to there not being enough opportunities for growth and economic advancement in Mexico. In a previous course, we talked about the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When countries are experiencing economic trouble, the IMF will loan money to the country with a list of incentives to receive that loan. And often the incentives revolve the privatization of social benefits. By privatizing everything it enforces the concept of individualism. And this affects women because if they have families, they have to find solutions on their own. In terms having the money to pay for education and health care for their children. Because of the debt in Mexico, people try to leave for a better life.

Once women cross the border, they enter relationships with men who are U.S citizens. Often, this could lead to them being able to become U.S citizens down the road. As the authors discussed in the article, immigrant women who are in abusive relationships cannot call the police for help. They are fully dependent on their partners for safety and finances. So, when they are subjected to abuse, they do not have the option of asking for help because of the fear of being deported back to Mexico.

With the current political climate, the need to keep immigrants out of the U.S is a big deal. And immigrant women in particular, are affected the most by Trump’s presidency. Women have to undergo harsh treatment and potentially rape, so that they will not be deported. If a woman were to be sexually assaulted, nothing would probably happen to the perpetrator because the woman is an immigrant. In January a male immigrant came forth and said that while he was detained by ICE he was raped. He took the case to court and received a settlement. But, was still deported. So, not exclude men from the narrative, it happens to them as well.

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/23/audemio-orozco-ramirez-immigration-customs-rape-deported/

I do not have a question, but it is really unfortunate what immigrant women and men have to go through. The fact the U.S refuses to accept immigrants as well as make it difficult for them to become U.S citizens is sad. The hope would be that one day, immigrants from Mexico will not have to experience this anymore. But, it just seems unlikely because of the systems of power created.