We Are Not Your Soldiers, a project of World Can’t Wait, will start its tenth year of bringing recent veterans of U.S. wars to speak in high schools and colleges. The need to stop US wars for empire against peoples around the world is more urgent than ever.
Contact us now to schedule a “We Are Not Your Soldiers” visit to your school, in any location, in any state!
As a veteran of the US occupation of Iraq put it:
“Don’t sign up. You could lose not just your life, but your humanity.”
The US military creates dangerous illusions through sophisticated print and film ads that turn reality on its head. Students need to hear, from someone with first-hand experience, what the real deal is. We present the moral issue of what the students will do with their lives – providing the context in which they can decide.
- We Are Not Your Soldiers brings Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans to classes. They may begin with a short video – perhaps a version of “Collateral Murder” which contains footage, released by Chelsea Manning, of the Baghdad killing of Reuters journalists or a clip from a feature film on a drone pilot stationed at a base here in the US. The presentation may include music or spoken word. In-service and post-service issues such PTSD, medical/psychological care or lack thereof and homelessness are also addressed, as well as the very high incidence of sexual abuse inside the military.
- We Are Not Your Soldiers can provide a historical presentation with a Vietnam military resister and/or veteran or screen a film (on the U.S. drone wars, torture and/or participation in the US military) and engage students in guided follow-up discussion.
- Whatever option is selected, we work with educators to develop customized presentations. Presenters engage in discussion with the students and answer their questions. Students are free to raise issues, ideas and questions in an environment where each person speaking is treated with respect. We provide resources to both prepare for and follow up on our visit/s. By thinking critically, students are able to integrate information from diverse sources. Students can delineate and evaluate the arguments and claims to which they are exposed.
We are working to keep this generation of youth — now men and women — from signing up to fight endless wars of domination, as part of a conscious movement to stop this trajectory.
The wars for empire continue and are at the heart of the flood of refugees risking their lives to escape the war zones of the Middle East and Africa. Many students are returning to school with increased consciousness of the systemic injustices towards people of color in this country. That awareness, while important in its own right, should be built on to include recognizing the injustices of empire and the US military in particular – and why it is neither in their interests nor those of the people of the world for them to enlist.
► If you are an educator, contact us now to arrange a visit to your school.
► If you are a student, put us in touch with your teacher or principal so we can come to your class.
► If you are a parent, we’d love to work with you to interact with your child’s school.
Please pass this message on. Call us at 646-807-3259 or email us at wearenotyoursoldiers@worldcantwait.org now to arrange a fall visit!
Connect with We Are Not Your Soldiers on Facebook 
Read: A veteran talks with students about his on-the-ground experiences in occupying Afghanistan
“A student in the back of the room raises his hand. ‘You’re saying that the base has funds on hand to pay civilians when a family member is killed? You mean that it is expected that civilians will be killed on a regular basis?’ That is as shocking to him as the story itself. Another student asks if war is like gaming. Jeremy says more soldiers are willing to pull the trigger because of gaming – the dehumanization, the winning of points…”
Continue reading…
- Veterans of U.S. wars share their stories of occupation & intervention
- Materials can be provided: pamphlets, music, videos/movies
- Help your students, friends, children, and community make the right and informed decision regarding the military