In Class, Marines Learn Cultural Cost Of Conflict : NPR →
Breaking The Anthropologists’ Code?
Holmes-Eber’s mission puts her in a conflict of her own with some fellow anthropologists, who see collaborating with the military as a traitorous act. The issue makes her squirm. “It’s awkward,” she finally laughs.
Anthropologists used to work closely with the military during conflicts in the 20th century, she explains. But during the Vietnam era, some of that support had controversial results.
“Anthropology was used as intelligence, used to destroy certain villages and harm populations,” Holmes-Eber says. Horrified that their knowledge had hurt a culture, anthropologists set a do-no-harm standard. For many, that means not working with the military.
