Hm. That can happen?
I wondered if I should write a follow up post to this dissent now that it looks like VAWA timed out without a vote. I’m not sure what else there is to say except a few quick things. First, I know tumblr has a way of enabling traffic among mainly like-minded people (er, sometimes), so I want to say officially to any side-eyes or crinkled eyebrows provoked by the post that I welcome questions and thoughtful debate.
Second, we should note that the one aspect of this latest version of VAWA that potentially troubled the legitimacy of the nation state — tribal jurisdiction over people assaulting Native women — was enough for Republicans to let the whole thing collapse. It’s important to register what kind of “violence against women” policy can be absorbed by the state, what kind is much harder to get through, and why.
Finally, what would happen if all of the anti-domestic/sexual violence programs and activists responded to this news about VAWA’s descent by collectively, actively, and loudly supporting Idle No More; doing their all to opt out of and eliminate Secure Communities; and focusing on community organizing to increase safety, support and accountability led by survivors and our communities? What kind of potential insurgencies could we create?