Virginia Woolf on Patriotism

Liza Featherstone reports on recent antiwar actions and on the history of women's resitance to militarism. Her article includes the role of artists. Featherstone states, "In her 1938 treatise Three Guineas, Virginia Woolf argued that as a woman, she had no reason to be patriotic, as the state denied her equal property and citizenship rights. She wrote, 'If you insist upon fighting to protect me, or 'our' country, let it be understood, soberly and rationally between us, that you are fighting...to procure benefits which I have not shared...in fact, as a woman, I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman my country is the whole world.' "

Women today may value their equal property and citizenship rights and still question whether going to war to procure benefits is a justification for humanitarian crisis and turmoil. Recent street theater performances by members of Code Pink serve as creative reminders of the consequences of war for women and children in third world countries. Code Pink calls on "women around the world to rise up and oppose the war in Iraq. We call on mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters, on workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets, and every ordinary outraged woman willing to be outrageous for peace." They call on women, not because they are more nurturing than men, but because men have been busy planning and making war. They evoke women's universal connection to the love of a mother for her children.

Artists have been critical supporters of peace and justice movements although their individual works have not always been overtly political in nature. Alice Neal continued to paint portraits while connected to many liberal movements. Viewers may see her work as political when she painted political figures. Still, her main message remains psychological. So artists with strong political opinions have several options. One is to express your viewpoint in your art, whether as an individual artist or as part of a group. Many artists feel the need to continue on their own chosen art direction and struggle with postmodern ideas of connecting their politics and their art. An artist's true work is important humanitarian and cultural work for our world. Artists can empower themselves by expressing their opinions outside of their art, as an artist, or as a mother, or as a daughter, or as a caring human. Again, joining with others is an option that can leave time and energy for making your own art. If you become involved with groups, take stock of your proirities often. Make conscious decisions about where you are spending your time and make plans that include creative time.