A lot of Wall Street money goes into promoting militarism as a wholesome endeavor, but much as their sentimental appeals overwhelm patriotic consumers’ emotions, there is an illogic to the cult of violence that leaves the world fearful and veterans traumatized. As the largest per capita ethnic group represented in the US military, American Indians have suffered more than most. As the poorest communities on the most polluted lands — much of it from toxic military waste — Native Americans need to have a stronger voice in our country’s discussion about national priorities in a world where militarism bleeds our common wealth dry.
In The Militarization of Indian Country, author Winona LaDuke starts that discussion.