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It is winter solstice and I feel weird, sort of out of sorts. Surely staying up all of the longest night will be a cure for that...
So here's a thought that's been occupying my mind: oh, the military. I was talking to Anna from Westpoint on Friday and she told me how she plans on effecting change in the military by participating in it and gaining authority and influence over platoons. It was at Danielle's birthday party and I was sort of stunned by this sentiment. I tried to express my view that no, the military is designed to function hierarchically and bureaucratically. I tried to say that power just isn't exercised that way in the military, that it is essentially a power-over model where people lend their consent to its machinations and exercise "influence" only within the strictures of that structure. I tried not to be confrontational, and I wasn't. I think my point wasn't made very well.
Of course, another important facet to this whole issue is (sigh) sexuality. I'm sorry, but it's true. I've met quite a few dykes who sort of fetishize the discipline, camaraderie, and challenges built into the military's institutions. I guess it's seen as a pretty butch thing to do; working out, getting disciplined, being competitive, fighting---But I guess I just can't accept the military as some great way to explore queer masculinities and our power as, like, white t-shirt clad lesbian avengers or whatever. (heehee) I mean, there's the obvious thing: there are no queers in the military. Seriously. As far as they're concerned, yer not queer if yer in the military. They won't ask and you damn well better not tell.
Doesn't it seem problematic to embrace this structure which systematically denies you? Which grants benefits to (straight) families, and stresses its family values in its propaganda (oops, I mean literature) and withholds them from you? Which glorifies the image of neatly-pressed uniformed men embracing their well-coiffed girls, but could have you kicked out if you mentioned yr girl? I mean, Jesus Christ, why do we think we are empowered to be a part of this culture, this militaristic body? It's rattled off like some sort of über-lesbian credential, and it fucking bothers me.
Obviously I can go on for ever and ever about this shite, but I'm not going to. Just please respond to this, whether you want to strangle me for saying this or not.
ps- happy solstice.
also, the quotes is by gil scott-heron, from the great song 'work for peace' which you all should scramble to hear.
So here's a thought that's been occupying my mind: oh, the military. I was talking to Anna from Westpoint on Friday and she told me how she plans on effecting change in the military by participating in it and gaining authority and influence over platoons. It was at Danielle's birthday party and I was sort of stunned by this sentiment. I tried to express my view that no, the military is designed to function hierarchically and bureaucratically. I tried to say that power just isn't exercised that way in the military, that it is essentially a power-over model where people lend their consent to its machinations and exercise "influence" only within the strictures of that structure. I tried not to be confrontational, and I wasn't. I think my point wasn't made very well.
Of course, another important facet to this whole issue is (sigh) sexuality. I'm sorry, but it's true. I've met quite a few dykes who sort of fetishize the discipline, camaraderie, and challenges built into the military's institutions. I guess it's seen as a pretty butch thing to do; working out, getting disciplined, being competitive, fighting---But I guess I just can't accept the military as some great way to explore queer masculinities and our power as, like, white t-shirt clad lesbian avengers or whatever. (heehee) I mean, there's the obvious thing: there are no queers in the military. Seriously. As far as they're concerned, yer not queer if yer in the military. They won't ask and you damn well better not tell.
Doesn't it seem problematic to embrace this structure which systematically denies you? Which grants benefits to (straight) families, and stresses its family values in its propaganda (oops, I mean literature) and withholds them from you? Which glorifies the image of neatly-pressed uniformed men embracing their well-coiffed girls, but could have you kicked out if you mentioned yr girl? I mean, Jesus Christ, why do we think we are empowered to be a part of this culture, this militaristic body? It's rattled off like some sort of über-lesbian credential, and it fucking bothers me.
Obviously I can go on for ever and ever about this shite, but I'm not going to. Just please respond to this, whether you want to strangle me for saying this or not.
ps- happy solstice.
also, the quotes is by gil scott-heron, from the great song 'work for peace' which you all should scramble to hear.
