Mission Statement
The Student Soldier Alliance works to educate our youth about the history and impact of American Foreign policy as well as to inform and advocate for peaceful policies and social justice. Our Vision
America has always purported to be an egalitarian and democratic country. However, we recognize that the history of American foreign policy has always been used as a tool of oppressio
n and there are various negative externalities that also breed policies contrary to the goals of American ideals. We strive to inform the American youth about these historical and current connections to injustice and oppression. By connecting the dots of common narratives that have justified American foreign policies we hope to create a more informed citizenry, capable of achieving the goals of egalitarianism and effective democracy. These connections are far reaching and affect numerous communities here at UC Davis. Here are some of the ways American foreign policy have historically oppressed communities at UC Davis:
From its inception, America was founded by settler occupations that resulted in the genocide of the Native American populations that originally resided here. America was founded as a slave country. The Transatlantic Slave Trade was part of American foreign policy and the racist narratives that justified that endeavor still permeate our society today. The militarization of American society is a negative externality of foreign policy that brings aspects of our wars abroad back to home. The militarization of the police and military training is one visible aspect of this. The Indochina wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the 1960s and 70s oppressed the capacity for state self-determination and led to the death or displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. The Drug wars in Latin America that became foreign policy in the 1980s have destabilized much of Central and South America. Here at home, drug policies continue to fuel the disproportionate incarceration of people of color. The recognition of Israel in 1948 has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy ever since. Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in violation of international law and the numerous human rights abuses that have followed with continuing American support for the state of Israel. The continuing wars in the Middle East have been started on false premises and resulted in the destabilization of the region with high civilian casualties and large numbers of refugees. There are students on this campus who have been directly affected by all of these American foreign policies and more. Who We Are
Students:
The enrolled students at UC Davis are what comprise our organization. However, we do not view the role of students as one that ends when a degree is in hand. We will always be students of history and students of society as long as we continue to learn about how false narratives drive us to complicity in oppressive policies paid for by our tax dollars. Soldiers:
The American military veterans offer primary historical narratives on their experiences in executing American foreign policy at the will of the American public. They are an essential part in reforming the way we view what American foreign policy looks like in practice. However, we do not view the role of soldiers to be confined to the American military veteran. Our soldiers are the individuals who fight for a fair and just world free from oppression, civilian and veteran alike. Every member who continuously works to change the way America executes its foreign policy is a soldier on the front lines of change for a better world. Alliance:
The goals of our organization intersect and intertwine with various human rights and activist organizations around the world. We actively collaborate and build lasting alliances with organizations that work to end oppression and share their stories of how American foreign policy has affected them. The people must unite for real change to occur. We are dedicated to building alliances that foster unity, communication, and understanding.
