The Shocking Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in the Argentina Dirty War

The Dirty War, a dark chapter in Argentina's history, remains engraved in the collective memory of the nation. Lasting from 1976 to 1983, this devastating period was marked by widespread human rights violations, state terrorism, and the disappearance of thousands of individuals.

While the Dirty War primarily focused on political repression, its impact on gender and nationalism was profound. This article delves into the spectacles surrounding gender roles and ideologies that unfolded during this turbulent time, shedding light on the complexities of Argentina's traumatic past.

The Construction of Gender Identity

During the Dirty War, traditional gender roles were strictly enforced by the military junta. The regime sought to reinforce the patriarchal structure of Argentine society, promoting a vision of women as submissive and nurturing, while men were glorified as protectors and defenders of the nation.

Disappearing Acts: Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's "Dirty War"

by Diana Taylor (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	14064 KB
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Women who deviated from this prescribed role were deemed "subversive" and became targets of state violence. Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group of mothers who protested the disappearances of their children, challenged these gender norms and became symbols of resistance.

The spectacles of gender during the Dirty War showcased both the resilience and vulnerability of women. They became central figures in the struggle for truth and justice, simultaneously defying the regime's expectations while risking their own lives.

Nationalism and State Propaganda

Argentina's military junta used nationalism as a powerful tool to justify its actions during the Dirty War. By creating a sense of national unity and a shared enemy of "internal subversion," the regime manipulated public opinion and suppressed dissent.

State propaganda played a crucial role in shaping public perception. The regime utilized various spectacles, such as parades, speeches, and media campaigns, to cultivate a sense of national pride and identity. These spectacles portrayed the regime as saviors of the nation, fighting against the perceived threat of communism.

However, these nationalist spectacles concealed the gross human rights violations and atrocities committed by the military regime. They effectively controlled the narrative and manipulated the emotions of the Argentine people, leaving little room for dissent or questioning.

Gender and Nationalism Converge

Within the context of the Dirty War, gender and nationalism converged in deeply unsettling ways. The regime used gendered language and imagery to reaffirm the connection between traditional gender roles and national identity. Women were encouraged to embrace motherhood and sacrifice for the nation, while men were expected to fulfill their duty as protectors.

These spectacles of gender and nationalism not only reinforced traditional gender norms but also legitimized state violence. The regime justified its actions as necessary to protect the nation, portraying violence as a masculine attribute. This resulted in a deeply ingrained association between national identity, gender roles, and violence.

Legacy and Resistance

The spectacles surrounding gender and nationalism during the Dirty War continue to impact Argentine society today. The struggle for gender equality and memory activism, spearheaded by organizations like the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, remains critical in unraveling the complex legacies of this period.

Through their persistent efforts, these organizations challenge traditional gender roles and foster a collective memory that recognizes the diverse experiences of those affected by the Dirty War. Their work reinforces the importance of acknowledging and addressing the spectacles of gender and nationalism that shaped Argentina's traumatic past.

In

The Argentina Dirty War stands as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked nationalism and the manipulation of gender roles for political gain. The spectacles of gender and nationalism that unfolded during this period reveal the intricate ways in which power, violence, and identity intersect.

Disappearing Acts: Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's "Dirty War"

by Diana Taylor (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14064 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages

FREE

In Disappearing Acts, Diana Taylor looks at how national identity is shaped, gendered, and contested through spectacle and spectatorship. The specific identity in question is that of Argentina, and Taylor’s focus is directed toward the years 1976 to 1983 in which the Argentine armed forces were pitted against the Argentine people in that nation’s "Dirty War." Combining feminism, cultural studies, and performance theory, Taylor analyzes the political spectacles that comprised the war—concentration camps, torture, "disappearances"—as well as the rise of theatrical productions, demonstrations, and other performative practices that attempted to resist and subvert the Argentine military.
Taylor uses performance theory to explore how public spectacle both builds and dismantles a sense of national and gender identity. Here, nation is understood as a product of communal "imaginings" that are rehearsed, written, and staged—and spectacle is the desiring machine at work in those imaginings. Taylor argues that the founding scenario of Argentineness stages the struggle for national identity as a battle between men—fought on, over, and through the feminine body of the Motherland. She shows how the military’s representations of itself as the model of national authenticity established the parameters of the conflict in the 70s and 80s, feminized the enemy, and positioned the public—limiting its ability to respond. Those who challenged the dictatorship, from the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo to progressive theater practitioners, found themselves in what Taylor describes as "bad scripts." Describing the images, myths, performances, and explanatory narratives that have informed Argentina’s national drama, Disappearing Acts offers a telling analysis of the aesthetics of violence and the disappearance of civil society during Argentina’s spectacle of terror.