Sport and Militarism Lecture Review

Importance of the Class Lecture

• Review of last slide deck's unfinished slides, particularly focusing on themes of sport and militarism.
• Encouragement to engage with the lecture despite the temptation of staying in bed.
• Recognition of collaborative learning through class conversations.

Sport and Militarism

• Idea: "Once you see, you cannot unsee" - recognizing the relationship between sport and militarism.
• Discussion on student interpretations of the course material, questioning motives behind military images in sport.
• Importance of critically analyzing implications and reasons to care about the link between militarism and sport.

Desjardins' Article Analysis

• Examination of Desjardins' article addressing militarism in everyday life beyond just professional sports.
• The case study of the 2019 Canadian Army Run as an ethnographic study showcasing military propaganda.
• Quote from Desjardins: "I contend that the 2019 Canadian Army run represents an additional propaganda tactic" - focus on depoliticization of military action such as this run.
• Examination of how militarism operates even in ostensibly non-military, participatory events.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Depoliticization: The event promotes the military without addressing the political implications of warfare. This allows for an idealized representation of the military without critique.
• Militarism in Civilian Life: Militaristic ideals are normalized, leading to a lack of critical engagement with military actions and policies.
• Recognition that even recreational involvement in these events sanitizes the violence associated with militarism.

The Nature of the 2019 Canadian Army Run

• Event details: Thousands participate annually in a run often filled with military imagery (e.g., finish line celebration at the War Museum).
• The finish line offering militaristic paraphernalia (e.g., dog tags) detracts from the serious nature of military conflicts.
• An absence of debate on ongoing military actions – it becomes largely a social and community event without critical discussions on warfare.
• Engaging in celebration decontextualizes warfare’s consequences, leading to a watered-down perception of combat.

Implications of Sport-Military Connection

• The event acts as a site of socialization where patriotism and support for the military are subtly encouraged.
• The lack of critique means that soldiers’ roles in complex geopolitical contexts become overlooked.
• Ideas discussed (e.g., Colin Kaepernick's protests) highlight how critiques of the military become criticisms of the nation-wide sentiment.

The Invictus Games Case Study

• Definition: International adaptive multi-sport competition involving wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women.
• Observe how narratives of "Invictus" (unconquered) evoke ideas of heroism and resilience despite their origin in injury from war.
• Purpose: Inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and foster respect for soldiers' sacrifices, but also implicates deeper issues regarding how injuries arise.
• Discussions about ableism and the portrayal of veterans at events showcasing athletic performance against the standards of able-bodied individuals.

Participant Narratives and Reactions

• Testimonies from competitors highlight variables such as inspiration vs struggle, and the need for social connections with peers who share their experiences.
• Critiques exist regarding who truly benefits from such games, revealing that some may feel excluded or that such events romanticize suffering and sacrifice without addressing broader systemic issues.
• Tension exists in narratives about recovery through sport, raising questions about the legitimacy and sustainability of these portrayals in light of the realities of veteran life.

Conclusion: Ask Critical Questions

• Encouragement for students to reflect critically on how sport and militarism intertwine and shape societal narratives surrounding military activism and national identity.
• Importance of recognizing the historical implications of military involvement in daily life to engage fully as informed citizens.