| January 6, 2006 Kings and Pawns A Demographic Comparison Of US Army Enlisted Soldiers and Palestinian Suicide Bombers by Nova Stubbs, insurgent49 
They are the bottom rungs, used and abused, strategically placed,
and for all intents and purposes mere pawns in the bloodiness of wars.
They are the soldiers of the world, fighting for the
“kings” cause. The
purposes of war lie far beyond these socially constructed walls of
ideological differences and expose the realm of hierarchical
exploitation. This ancient condition has continually stunted the progress of social evolution. By virtue of tradition and culture many have become married to these ideologies and have ceased to recognize this type of oppression. It is not about the seething gap in cultures or East versus West. It is about an institutionalized hierarchy that has plagued humanity throughout time. Comparing the demographic characteristics of suicide bombers and enlisted soldiers from the U.S. military is bound to anger many, but it is necessary for understanding this endemic of hierarchy. Not all U.S. troops believe in warfare and not all suicide bombers are martyrs. Despite their cultural differences, these two groups are really quite similar.
U.S. soldiers and suicide bombers join these organizations for various reasons; however, the most common motivations for both groups are tradition and patriotism. Many believe that economic circumstances lead these “soldiers of the world” down these voluntary paths, yet data seems to downplay this assumption. A study on Palestinian suicide bombers in 2001 notes that 33% of Palestinians live under the poverty line, whereas only 13% of suicide bombers live in such conditions. The notion that most U.S. enlisted soldiers are the poorest of the poor is also a fallacy. Current data shows that only 14.6% of military recruits came from the poorest quintile, whereas 22% came from the wealthiest. “Yeah but my son wouldn’t join a group where he would purposely blow himself up.” No probably not. But the fact that a suicide bomber would go to such measures does indicate a culture, which not unlike America, clings to tradition. They become “heroes” within the fire and die for a cause, which they generally believe is far greater than their own lives. In all reality, suicide bombers are the Western cultural equivalent of those who have sacrificed their lives in a hunger protest. The act of suicide bombing in the Middle East has been around since the 11th century; however, it became linked to tradition during the 18th century in order to ward off colonial powers. This epidemic of tradition plagues not only suicide bombers, but U.S. soldiers as well. “My grandpa did it, my dad did it, and I have to do it too.” Why Hierarchy? As Americans we grow up with notions of tradition and patriotism deeply engrained within us. For most, we stood up in school for the Pledge of Allegiance, as we believed that capitalism, freedom, and democracy were the crux to our way of life. Leaders have always recognized the importance of social climate in regard to belief systems. Therefore, “kings” often claim that the sole purpose of war is to “save” these primary ideologies. Terrorist cell leaders usually use the traditional ideological base of Islam in order to gain support and recruit members. Meanwhile, it is the “kings” war, but it is the people that die. In addition, the military also experiences a great degree of hierarchical inequalities within. A U.S marine noted, 40-to-1 enlisted soldiers to officers walk among the enemy daily in Iraq. Yet, the majority of silver and bronze stars are awarded to officers at a ratio of 27-to-1. The “hero” in the land of hierarchy are those who keep their soldiers in line. Suicide bombers also experience this “bottom rung syndrome.” Leaders of terrorist organizations view suicide bombers not as heroes, but as tools in order to accomplish their goals and missions based on their own particular ideologies. Bombers are trained to believe that their radical actions will lead them to eternal heroism. “Are they stupid saps that are easily manipulated?” They are not stupid. In all actuality 57% of Palestinian suicide bombers were college educated, whereas only 15% of the entire population had an equivalent level of education. Furthermore, manipulation is a relative term. For them, Islam is often the crux to their way of life and they are willing to fight in order to preserve their belief system. Both the majority of suicide bombers and enlisted soldiers are young, male, and capable of conquering. The demographics of a “soldier” are as old as war itself and the “kings” have always used their advantages of power and prestige in order to gain greater wealth and to continue their exploitive reign. Checkmate. Sources Atran, Scott. 2003."Genesis of Suicide Terrorism." Science Magazine. 299: 1534-1539. Kane, Tim. 2005. “Who Bears the Burden? Demographic Characteristics of U.S. Military Recruits.” Center for Data Analysis Report #05-08. Available at www.heritage.org West, Owen. 2004 “Who Really Deserves a Silver Star.” Available at www.slate.com. Pop Quiz Answers: 1)c 2)b 3)c 4)c |
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2005
Insurgent Media. All Rights
Reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
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