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Surviving the Long Wars

By Meg Miner (reviewer)

Surviving the Long Wars: Creative Rebellion at the Ends of Empire
Edited by Aaron Hughes, Ronak K. Kapadia, Therese Quinn, Meranda Roberts, and Amber Zora.
(Bridge Books, 2024)

There are at least three ways to read Surviving the Long Wars: Creative Rebellion at the Ends of Empire: as a catalog of an exhibition featuring multiple artistic expressions, an account of a conference, and a critical analysis of the impact that US-led militarism has had on indigenous peoples and cultures across the globe.

The American Indian Wars and the Global War on Terror (GWOT) are the specific "long wars" mentioned. The first is described as "a series of violent conflicts from the 1600s to the early 1900s, marked by land theft, forced relocations, and efforts to eradicate indigenous cultures." The GWOT "represents a contemporary phase of US military terrorism in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa marked by invasions, occupations, and counter-terrorism operations and perpetuating violence and destabilization in these regions." Highlighting the continuity of imperialist US tendencies throughout these two eras, as well as the individual and community-wide resistance, through art and other forms of activism, is at the heart of this effort.

The book is an exhibition catalog, but a remarkably ambitious one, just like the conference it describes. As noted in the introduction, the volume: "transcends the conventional exhibition catalog; it is a clarion call to bridge differences, reject imperialism, and envision a future shaped by peace and justice. By centering on the lived experiences and radical creativity of those most impacted by US imperialism, this book highlights the transformative power of art to inspire, heal, and unite communities in their ongoing struggle against war and militarism. For veteran artists, this requires shifting from alliances based solely on military experiences to coalitions rooted in solidarity with other targeted and impacted communities."

Containing images of visual and performing arts, essays, and poetry, the book transports readers through the experiences of their creators to these historic periods. Some of the essays are first-person narratives of the authors' experiences during and after the wars, and some examine the origins and impacts of military actions on all the affected people. The points of view of both civilians and military combatants bring their visceral experiences to readers who can glimpse the consequences of US military actions through their eyes.

The March 16-19, 2023, Veteran Art Triennial & Summit took place in three Chicago venues: The Newberry Library, Hyde Park Art Center, and the Chicago Cultural Center. The website remains available at https://www.survivingthelongwars.online. This was the second summit, and organizing for a third is underway.

Tying the exhibits and the conference together are the commentaries in the form of essays and poetry. There are four sections in the 350-page volume: Residues and Rebellions, Reckon and Reimagine, Unlikely Entanglements, and Surviving the Long War Summit. Each chapter features an introductory essay and poem. While full-color images of the artworks are common in catalogs, the photographs are presented in a way that makes the reader feel as though they are walking through the galleries. There are also close-up photos that show details of the work. These detailed images highlight aspects of the commentary and situate the artworks within a specific historical context.

The first three chapters mirror the themes for the first three days of the conference. The concluding chapter features additional photographs of performances and panels, poetry, and commentary on some of the discussions and the summit as a whole. Included in these are discussions about veteran art and anti-war movements in light of the ongoing suffering in Gaza. At the end of the summit, participants commemorated the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq with a final sharing of experiences, "visions of peace shared by war-impacted people," and a silent reflection as participants dropped flowers in Lake Michigan.

The events described in this book surely had a lasting impact on the participants, and thanks to the care taken by the editors, contributors, and designers, readers will continue to learn about the origins and effects of the never-ending tradition of US-sponsored long wars.

Meg Miner retired from the Air Force after a career that spanned the post-Vietnam War era and the Gulf War era. She was happy to leave all that behind and start a new life, pursuing degrees that would lead to a career in libraries and archives. Miner found a home in VVAW for her identity as a veteran after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. She started participating in VVAW events in 2002 and joined the Board in 2017.