Thanks to friend, Hillary Zeiss, whom I met on my semester abroad in Russia, for writing a post about Russia. I encourage you all to read it, it is quite insightful and it allowed me to insert some of my own musings on the topic, which you will find below the link. My words might make more sense if you read her post first, but do as you will.
On Russia's Homophobic Legislature, Demography, and That Time I Lived with Fascists
I have said for quite a while that many people in America still have anti-Russian sentiments left over from the Cold War and that these sentiments flood our airwaves and thus, anti-Russian sentiment still pervades. But it is more than just that, the post above demonstrates a quality that Americans seem to have really perpetuates the anti-Russian sentiment that I see run rampant throughout the States. It goes something like this: America has prided itself on the idea that we were a nation conceived in liberty, conceived in the idea that everyone is created equal, that democracy is the only true and just path, and perhaps also incorrectly conceived as a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles. (A side note, the simplest explanation as to why Communism, especially Russian Communism, became the dreaded enemy was because the Soviets had proclaimed themselves as godless). The fact that America has been able to exist as a society, as a country, for over two hundred years has given Americans a sense of entitlement, a sense that because we have been successful, our way must be the only way to live properly and perhaps the only way to truly run a government.
What many Americans often fail to realize, and this is rooted in America's own cultural heritage of individual liberty and self-determination, is that every country has their own cultural values. America's sense of individualism, of liberty, and of self-determination is so profound that they fail to see another culture's values and how those cultural values work for that particular country. Instead, when Americans see the difference, they do not see it necessarily as a good thing, they see it as the wrong thing or lesser-than the American way of thinking. But here is something simple: American values work for America but that does not mean that they will work, and most likely will not work, for other countries, whether that country be Russia or Iran or Iraq. Perhaps you can discuss ideas and concepts, but they must be adopted and utilized in ways that are appropriate for a particular country's culture and attitude. After the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia emerged as a new nation, they modeled their government very similarly to the American model of democracy and this experiment failed for them - corruption, government gridlock, and significant economic troubles ensued. Perhaps too simply put, Russia tends to have a far more collectivist attitude than America does, an attitude that happiness derives from security/safety and not from democracy. If you think about Russia of the 1990s and Russia during the early 1920s of Civil War, this makes sense. Does this mean Russians advocate and want totalitarianism? Certainly not. Now, in my opinion, democracy and freedom do not mean the same thing. Democracy is a form of government where regular citizens have the right to elect their leaders; freedom is to act, speak, and think without hindrance or constraint (according to the Oxford Dictionary). When Putin stepped onto the scene in 1999/2000, he brought Russia back from the brink, he brought back economic security, he brought stability back in government. Of course, not everything Putin has done has been good, but how can Americans truly judge the Russians fairly while failing to acknowledge their own problems and faults. American government is certainly not perfect.
America has many, many faults just like every and any nation on this earth. Are there things of which America can be proud? Yes, of course. Are there things of which America should feel ashamed? Yes, certainly. I am an American and I love my country; I love America's founding principles of equality and opportunity, but I am not going to be a hypocrite. I refuse to be one. I will acknowledge that America has had very great moments and very dark moments. I will acknowledge that America does not have all the answers. I will acknowledge that America is not the be all and end all of perfection, righteousness, and morality where every other nation can please take a seat. This is a dangerous and isolating way to think. What works for Americans will not work in the same way for Russians or for Iraqis or for Iranians. America should share her ideas and advocate for freedom, but she should not impose. What Americans should do instead is to listen, to think critically, to understand, and to humble themselves. There is something to be learned from everyone. The way we, as Americans, as humans, can make a positive difference in this world is to learn and to listen, not to force and not to impose and not to judge without understanding, but to never stop learning more.
On Russia's Homophobic Legislature, Demography, and That Time I Lived with Fascists
I have said for quite a while that many people in America still have anti-Russian sentiments left over from the Cold War and that these sentiments flood our airwaves and thus, anti-Russian sentiment still pervades. But it is more than just that, the post above demonstrates a quality that Americans seem to have really perpetuates the anti-Russian sentiment that I see run rampant throughout the States. It goes something like this: America has prided itself on the idea that we were a nation conceived in liberty, conceived in the idea that everyone is created equal, that democracy is the only true and just path, and perhaps also incorrectly conceived as a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles. (A side note, the simplest explanation as to why Communism, especially Russian Communism, became the dreaded enemy was because the Soviets had proclaimed themselves as godless). The fact that America has been able to exist as a society, as a country, for over two hundred years has given Americans a sense of entitlement, a sense that because we have been successful, our way must be the only way to live properly and perhaps the only way to truly run a government.
What many Americans often fail to realize, and this is rooted in America's own cultural heritage of individual liberty and self-determination, is that every country has their own cultural values. America's sense of individualism, of liberty, and of self-determination is so profound that they fail to see another culture's values and how those cultural values work for that particular country. Instead, when Americans see the difference, they do not see it necessarily as a good thing, they see it as the wrong thing or lesser-than the American way of thinking. But here is something simple: American values work for America but that does not mean that they will work, and most likely will not work, for other countries, whether that country be Russia or Iran or Iraq. Perhaps you can discuss ideas and concepts, but they must be adopted and utilized in ways that are appropriate for a particular country's culture and attitude. After the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia emerged as a new nation, they modeled their government very similarly to the American model of democracy and this experiment failed for them - corruption, government gridlock, and significant economic troubles ensued. Perhaps too simply put, Russia tends to have a far more collectivist attitude than America does, an attitude that happiness derives from security/safety and not from democracy. If you think about Russia of the 1990s and Russia during the early 1920s of Civil War, this makes sense. Does this mean Russians advocate and want totalitarianism? Certainly not. Now, in my opinion, democracy and freedom do not mean the same thing. Democracy is a form of government where regular citizens have the right to elect their leaders; freedom is to act, speak, and think without hindrance or constraint (according to the Oxford Dictionary). When Putin stepped onto the scene in 1999/2000, he brought Russia back from the brink, he brought back economic security, he brought stability back in government. Of course, not everything Putin has done has been good, but how can Americans truly judge the Russians fairly while failing to acknowledge their own problems and faults. American government is certainly not perfect.
America has many, many faults just like every and any nation on this earth. Are there things of which America can be proud? Yes, of course. Are there things of which America should feel ashamed? Yes, certainly. I am an American and I love my country; I love America's founding principles of equality and opportunity, but I am not going to be a hypocrite. I refuse to be one. I will acknowledge that America has had very great moments and very dark moments. I will acknowledge that America does not have all the answers. I will acknowledge that America is not the be all and end all of perfection, righteousness, and morality where every other nation can please take a seat. This is a dangerous and isolating way to think. What works for Americans will not work in the same way for Russians or for Iraqis or for Iranians. America should share her ideas and advocate for freedom, but she should not impose. What Americans should do instead is to listen, to think critically, to understand, and to humble themselves. There is something to be learned from everyone. The way we, as Americans, as humans, can make a positive difference in this world is to learn and to listen, not to force and not to impose and not to judge without understanding, but to never stop learning more.
