Week 5: Annie Deng, A01

Annie Deng
Section A01
Week 5

     In the imperial university, deep-rooted American beliefs and values such as nationalism and patriotism are reinforced. Anything that demonstrates "anti-American" ideologies is seen as a potential threat to the so-called "exceptional" nation. Imperialistic and colonial urges of the United States reflect onto the structure of higher education. Discreet forms of dominance and violence are used to maintain political, economic, and military authority. Just like Professor Valverde stated, the university system is a war itself; you need a weapons, allies, and a plan. Dissenting scholars who tackle taboo topics like U.S. state violence and global dominance are often suppressed. They are considered to be harmful to the American ideology. Student protests during the Occupy movement are also repressed by the over militarization of the police. How is using military grade pepper spray against peaceful protesting students justified? The whole idea of institutional censorship establishes a corporate militarization in the imperial university. It is ironic how advocating for social change in the academic institution can be detrimental for scholars and students when America is known to be a country of free speech. The structural system that is supposed to protect us is actually a double-edged sword that can do the opposite. The consequences of racialization and gendering from wars and events like 9/11 has ingrained a covert and hostile academic environment because people of color and minorities are afraid to speak out against anti-imperialist beliefs. Academic repression establishes the status quo of the academic-military-industrial complex by linking militaristic ideas of control, discipline, violence, and even surveillance (Chatterjee & Maira, 2014).

     I was surprised when I read about how the CIA supported research on the social sciences so they can develop the skills needed to perform psychological torture (Chatterjee & Maira, 2014). This ultimately proves that the academic institution is connected with the military industrial complex. The funding for research in science and technology in the imperial university is fundamentally for military development. Militarism, colonialism, and neoliberal capitalism is apparent in the imperial university in order to preserve American nationalism and ideologies. In the end, the university only cares about its status, and the academia collides with the government's purpose of defending America. The true purpose of the university is ignored and disregarded.


Question: What are some of the first steps to resist the covert imperialism of the university and to remove the militarization of the academia?

References:

• Boggs, C. (2013). Masters of War Militarism and Blowback in the Era of American Empire. New York: Taylor and Francis.
• Chatterjee, P., & Maira, S. (2014). Imperial University: Academic Repression and Scholarly Dissent. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
• Straub, S. (2014, August 15). Over Militarization of Local Police Departments [Digital image]. Retrieved from http://thefederalistpapers.org/political-cartoon/new-cartoon-illustrates-the-logic-conclusion-of-over-militarization-of-local-police-departments