• cybersin@lemm.ee
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      4 months ago

      Do you think a random Russian citizen who is trying to leave Russia has anything to do with this?

      Many of the people trying to leave Russia are against the war. It is idiotic to shame civilians who have little to no power to stop the actions of their oligarch run government.

      • iarigby@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        itt: a bunch of people spoiled by the fortune of not meeting enough actual Russians. They are overwhelmingly supportive of the war as it is fully aligned with the nation’s imperialistic identity, one that existed long before Putin was even born. Russia has amazing, brilliant, heroic opposition activists which are a slim minority, I’ve been told less than 1%. The rest are mostly like this woman (or worse)

        • cybersin@lemm.ee
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          4 months ago

          You speak as if you believe Russia has freedom of press and right to openly protest. The fact is that the Russian state controls most of the public discourse, and any opposition is crushed. And you would place the blame on the victims of this regime?

          EDIT: You seem like the type to believe Putin fairly won the election with 88% of the vote.

          • iarigby@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            There are issues that Russia has right now, and then there is a national identity that they have had for decades and centuries. You seem to not be educated about the latter part. The misinformation is effective and bloodshed in Ukraine is supported because the content and aim resonates with the population. Putin did not have to convince anyone there that Ukrainians (and other neighbor countries) don’t have the right to exist as an independent nation. Even the most popular opposition leader Navalnyi had some horrifying imperialistic quotes, he fully supported the war in Georgia, the thing he was opposing to was corruption, not occupation. And knowing these important details is crucial for understanding just how much of the responsibility for the war falls on the nation and not just Putin.

            • cybersin@lemm.ee
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              4 months ago

              Putin did not have to convince anyone there that Ukrainians (and other neighbor countries) don’t have the right to exist as an independent nation.

              This is absolutely not true. Many Russians have relatives in the countries which were formerly part of the Soviet Union. There have been many protests within Russia against the war, which were usually met with violent suppression. Many in opposition of the war fled if they were able to.

              But I guess Russians just really want to fight against their foreign relatives, simply because they themselves are Russian.

              there is a national identity that they have had for decades and centuries

              Yeah, there was this one guy who was in power for like 24 years who was a part of the intelligence community before he became a politician. Before he came to power, the entire world wanted the nation gone (and still do). Crazy how having every western government hate you could be used to create a national identity.

              for understanding just how much of the responsibility for the war falls on the nation and not just Putin.

              If the Russian people are responsible, I guess we should start bombing Russian cities then. That sounds reasonable.

              • iarigby@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                yeah the end of the comment makes it clear that you’re malicious. What you say is utterly immoral and pinning that statement to me is disgusting.

                For someone else who does not see why the whole response is answering to claims they themselves made it up (and try to create an illusion that those were my arguments) I am arguing that a random person who clearly displays typical Russian values should not be given a kilometer wide benefit of the doubt. And ignorant people here should stop going out on a limb to keep defending “innocent Russian civilians” and insisting that it’s only Putin that is the problem. Because that claim is factually false and ignorant of Russian civil culture and widespread imperialistic values. I was only explaining a context about Russian civilians that is necessary to keep in mind when being confused by someone like this lady.

                I have said before and I will elaborate that I completely admire Russian opposition and would literally never achieve fraction of their courage but despite being many, in a population of hundreds of millions, fraction wise they’re nowhere near being a major portion. I never said every single Russian supports the war, and you trying to push that I did to justify dragging in an unrelated argument about protests is another openly malicious move. It is exhausting to argue when the other person twists your words, whether due to malice or not having skills to analyze statements.

          • iarigby@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            I have dozens of Russian friends too, they explained all these things to me, especially since after the war many had to cut off almost everyone starting from family (I mean most of them had already cut off parents or at least a father since they typically beat the shit out of children) to classmates to other acquaintance. They were raised in Russia (those raised in western countries have a totally different background and are less severely impacted culturally) and were adults before Putin had absolute power. They say he just built on top of the identity of violence and imperialism. The Russian philosophers and political scientists they read and watch explain this. Are they bigots too?

            • slackassassin@sh.itjust.works
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              4 months ago

              People are individuals who are more than the country and government they are from. If you believe that 99% of a country is the same, you are a bigot.

              • iarigby@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                I never claimed I believe that though, what I explain in my comments is vastly different from what you are attempting to pin on me. But you seem to desperately want to name call someone so whatever.

                • slackassassin@sh.itjust.works
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                  4 months ago

                  You said that people had “the fortune” of not meeting enough Russians and that less than one percent were in opposition. Perhaps you’re are just sloppy with your language, but it sounds like you’re just rocking the “one of the good ones” argument, so whatever.

      • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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        4 months ago

        I know they’re subject to censorship, misinformation, and propaganda at home, but the Russian people still widely support the violent invasion and illegal war on Ukraine. That’s why the world doesn’t hold a positive view of Russians.

        Regardless, this person was simply answering the question and not personally blaming a single Russian immigrant, so why are you shooting the messenger?

        • cybersin@lemm.ee
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          4 months ago

          the Russian people still widely support the violent invasion and illegal war on Ukraine

          How about the person in the video? Did you ask her? She makes no comment on her perspective of the war in the video.

          So instead, without any knowledge of her personal views, bigoted people say she deserves to be hated simply because she is Russian, and everyone knows that all Russians love the war and want to eat children.

      • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        I completely agree. Not all people are as open minded. I know an Israeli-American with dual citizenship that protested Netanyahu at NYU. People are absolutely not defined by their government. Russian elections are clearly rigged, so it’s even less likely she’s in favor of Putin. I wouldn’t criticize her unless she personally spoke in support of his actions. Unfortunately, I know enough people to be aware that it’s just not how everyone operates.

        • Burstar@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          4 months ago

          Her statements in the video suggest otherwise:

          “[Russians] have a strong nationality”, which to me means they identify with their country and consequently its government. This statement alone says she should be emotionally responsible for her government’s actions as it indirectly or tacitly supports them.

          “We are not an aggressive people”. False. Your nation is currently waging one of a series of aggressive wars in the region of late and there are numerous Russian videos that show how common vehicular accidents have everyone involved (and more) exiting their vehicles armed with melee weapons (crowbars, bats, etc…). Not an aggressive people? Relative to what, the Mongol Horde?

          Members of hostile Nations have a burden of proof to show they are willing to play ball with other civilizations. The very fact she’s crying about the unfair treatment instead of asking ‘why all the hate’ and trying to dispel everyone’s very reasonable concerns is another strike against.

          If she actually sat down and learned what her country was doing to innocent Ukrainians, and publicly denounced their actions she would have my sympathy. Until then she is a citizen of Orkistan, raised to hate the West and believe her governments lies since birth and cannot be trusted.

  • don@lemm.ee
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    4 months ago

    but we never do aggressive things

    Holy snapping duckshit you’re so far removed from reality that you’re in your own separate omniverse and that’s absolutely impossible

    • tal@lemmy.today
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      Eh… I mean, she’s talking about Russians, not Russia. Like, how individuals act. I think that there’s probably a case that judging national character based on country policy is kinda frustrating. You go back a couple hundred years, and it was pretty common for Empire A to go take over nearby Country B if it could. I think most people had a national leader somewhere back in time who probably did some fairly unpleasant stuff.

      Like, Putin’s running Russia. And Putin’s Russian. And Putin affects a lot of Russians, and has a lot of ability to direct the actions of a lot of Russians. But Putin also isn’t what it means to be Russian.

      Like, say you’re German, and Hitler is in power, right? I mean, I’m not saying that there weren’t Germans who didn’t do some pretty unpleasant stuff during that period. Or that people weren’t pretty pissed at Germans at that point. But, like…Hitler also isn’t what it means to be German.

      Here are a bunch of Russians that came over to the US or their kids.

      Isaac Asimov, Michael Bay, Bernie Sanders. I think that most people aren’t gonna say “Ah, Russia is doing X, so they are bad people”. She didn’t make the call to attack Ukraine. She’s not killing people in Ukraine. She’s not even in Russia…in fact, it sounds like she’s in Mexico because she’s trying to leave Russia, which I imagine isn’t all that easy. Like, she’s upset because she’s being judged on her nationality. I mean, I get that.

      Taking out anger at Putin on her doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

      • Burstar@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 months ago

        Your Hitler example is perfect IMO. There were many beyond Hitler in Germany that deserved the hatred directed at them whether directly through horrific acts or indirectly due to their apathy or ignorance. The civilians in the towns directly adjacent to liberated concentration camps were forced by allied forces to aid in the cleanup and recovery of the camps and their victims. Many of these ‘innocent Germans’ expressed outrage at their ‘undeserved’ treatment like as seen in this video. They didn’t deserve sympathy either.

        At a certain point ‘I am just an innocent wittle civilian who has done nothing wrong’ is a cop-out. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good [people] should do nothing” -Burke.

        To be clear this isn’t to justify warcrimes on civilians. It is merely to say her crocodile tears fall on deaf ears.

        • froh42@lemmy.world
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          All those Hitler comparisons hit very close, as I’m German, born long after the war. It was. my grandparent generation that allowed things to happen.

          I have utmost respect for people who speak out against atrocities their country does, but in sucj a case - Hitler or Putin - being silent is agreeing.

          The woman in this video just whines how everyone treats her badly. If she had said one time, she understands because of what her country does - and then say, how it makes her life bad, I could somehow sympathize. This way - I can not.

          I have a Russian coworker who started business meetings with a minute of silence for the Ukrainian victims during the full invasion. That is something I can respect.

          I never got any details, but I have reason to believe my own grandfather arranged himself with the Nazis, some say he was a party member. Others say, he and my grandma hid someone from them. Nevertheless he managed to own a soft drink factory (and quickly got a Coca Cola contract after the war)

          I’m fucking fed up with people who arrange themselves with dictators and are just opportunists. As this woman obviously is.

        • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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          4 months ago

          Fun fact - Hitler was elected.

          There’s potential evil in everyone, born everywhere. It’s hard for most people to swallow, but it’s true.

          • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            Hitler wasn’t really elected. His party never once had a majority vote. He got 30 ish percent iirc.

            He was nominated as Chancellor as a cop out to try and appease the masses which he had stirred up.

            • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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              It was closer to 40, but yes, he never won a majority nation-wide. Minority governments are a thing though, and he got the job democratically. It’s accurate to say he was elected.

          • Chahk@beehaw.org
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            4 months ago

            Putin was elected too.

            Bwahahahah! Sorry, almost made it through with a straight face.

            • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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              4 months ago

              He actually never had a free and fair election, as far as I know. Yeltsin won fair and square the first time around, but rigged his second election and then appointed Putin.

      • iarigby@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        If Germany had a nazi problem for a full century and different political powers, damn right that would represent Germans

  • Godnroc@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    When the people do not know what their government is doing they cannot understand why others hate them. Nationality can be a badge of honor and a hood over your eyes.

    • gramie@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      About 20 years ago I read this:

      Americans say, “I don’t know why people hate us”, and that is why people hate Americans.

    • Land_Strider@lemmy.world
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      That this lady had no part in it and is actually trying to leave their country because of it, even leaving their families behind. Notice how she says Russians in Russia are always angry and she’s looking for a calmer place to live in. The main reason for their complaint is that even though they left all the angry Russians behind, they are now facing a not-so-much bigoted and racist behaviour in a place they hoped to find less aggressive life.

      And here we have these guys in the comments foaming “FAFO” in their mouths without any indicator that this Russian person has anything to do with the Russian government or ultranationalist populace, where she left behind, any more than the peace-loving U…S. citizens’ being complicit in the mess their military-industry run government’s actions.

      • froh42@lemmy.world
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        Yes, riiiiiiight - as well as my grandparent generation had noooothing to do with the things that happened here in Germany during WW2.

        I would get it if she’d acknowledge what her country does and state that she doesn’t agree with Russia invading other countries. But this tearful “everyone treats us soooo bad”, blaming everyone else… fuck, no.

        • Land_Strider@lemmy.world
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          It is one thing to make an enemy in a state power, it is another to disagree and try to put it behind yourself. You can say many of the Russians in Russia are complicit in this war even if they are not directly supporting it, but many more are just some people making a living where they are born and where they usually have no easy access to leave or not be a part of.

          Don’t make this topic more harmful nationalistic one more than it already is. Warring states, propaganda brainwashing and violent bigots are one thing and should not be given the benefit of the doubt. The civilians that have no overt or willing part in it but caught in the literal or political/social crossfire are another thing and what makes war worse than hell because you one can’t separate the two easily, but one must try.

          Edit: Also your rhetoric is the same one Putin has been using for a decade in the annexed and occupied eastern Ukraine. “They are all Nazis over there” is one easy step towards the horrors of war.

          • froh42@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            “They are all Nazis over there” is something you try to put into my mouth.

            I said it is the same situation in Russia where people do not speak up against what their country does. I also understand if they fear repercussions.

            But this woman, who said she was in Brazil before, just whines around, “Russia is strong” and obviously is very OK with what happens or chooses to ignore it. She has been out of Russia for some time, she has seen other. media.

            What I said - the same what happened in Germany is happening in Russia right now. People CHOOSING not to see and not to, speak about it.

            I never said anything about “all” Russians.

            Don’t try to put words in my mouth.

            What I expect - yes demand - from someone like this woman is acknowledging what happens.

  • BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works
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    4 months ago

    we never do aggressive things

    Lady, some guys are at the door looking for you, asking “WTF?!?” In Chechen, Ossetian, and Ukrainian… Oh wait there’s a guy loudly yelling in Finnish coming around the corner with his buddies from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania… OMG they’ve got torches and pitchforks, saying that they’re looking for their friends on this list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspicious_deaths_of_notable_Russians_(2022–2024)

    I do realize that she’s talking about individual Russians not being aggressive. And I know that I shouldn’t find it so funny, that she’s having this wake up call from the world… But I find it absolutely hilarious. You want others to like you? How about treating people better? And if your country’s the problem then revolt.

    • niktemadur@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      You want others to like you? How about treating people better?

      From a certain perspective, what she and others like her are saying is - “I hate being treated the way we treat others” - which is a lazy, mindless posture as old as time itself.

    • Nomecks@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      I would argue that most people are almost completely oblivious to the world around them. This lady has been fed pro Russian propaganda her whole life so of course the real world is shocking. How could everything she was taught be wrong?

      • Prandom_returns@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        Instead of whining to the camera, they could just do a quick google search, with all the same questions, instead of blaming the whole world.

        Instead, we got this “why are people so mean to russians, we are the best” overdramatic nonsense, because her daddy’s money couldn’t buy her something in the real world.

        These are, of course, assumptions.

      • Juno@beehaw.org
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        4 months ago

        This, I agree. A moment of revelation is a shock. People will even become violent to defend their version of reality.

        The fight scene in They Live is a good example. He wants him to put the glasses on to see reality, the other man simply refuses, things get violent.

        And exactly, how could everything he know be wrong without the glasses? This drives his behavior.

    • iarigby@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I know but they swamped my country when the war started and I can tell you with full and tragic confidence that this is legit (and even worse, typical)

  • reddwarf@feddit.nl
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    4 months ago

    Now why would the world hate russia, hmmm? Could it be the war and killing you do in Ukraine? The threats against other democracies? The bullying of other countries and persons? The megalomaniac tendencies of that monkey putin?

    No sympathy from me…

    • taanegl@beehaw.org
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      4 months ago

      Here’s a kind reminder that the Russian state is not the Russian people and there are plenty of examples throughout history of people being complacent. There are very few examples of a state so corrupt as Russia, where politicians, oligarchs and literal mafia have a hidden understanding and the system of law is just a dog and pony show.

      That being said, empower Russians in diaspora, here in Europe and in the US, that seek to depose Putin, that seek to inform the Russian people. I’m saying Russia needs it’s own IRA and certain buildings need to go boom, not because Ukraine, but because of Russians.

      Be their ally, and for God’s sake, don’t use fucking Telegram to communicate with them.

      • reddwarf@feddit.nl
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        People in power are put into or were allowed to seize that power. Not saying 100% of russia is behind putin but enough are. For me russians are part of the proble and I will not defer to putin and make him a scapegoat. russians need to take responsibility and until they do, I have no kindness or consideration for them.

        Nuance is all fine and well, I bet the people getting raped and killed will have (had) a different opinion. I will stand with Ukraine if you do not mind and leave sympathy where it belongs: Ukraine

      • DarkThoughts@fedia.io
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        Sorry, but no. We’re far too long into this bullshit by now, with Russia now pushing towards WW3. If you’re after all this shit still in Russia and not actively righting the regime, as if all of this doesn’t concern you, then you’re part oft he problem. Just like the Germans in Nazi Germany at the time who just looked away, despite knowing what was happening.

  • obsolete@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    4 months ago

    I try to put myself in their situation. As much as I am against this stupid war and Putin, if I was born in a country under dictatorship, I’d probably be brainwashed or too afraid to speak my mind too.

  • whome@discuss.tchncs.de
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    4 months ago

    I think this is one of the few entry points for other Russians to start a conversation and maybe question your propaganda based selfimage

  • Random_Character_A@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Oh boy. This is a tough one.

    In one part every citizen is in small part accountable for their government, if nothing else then through inaction. Then again they might be leaving their country, because they or their family member took action. With all this hate will it decrease the chance of somebody taking action?

    But what if we look at this from East European perspective? They were under Soviet boot for decades as second rate citizens in their own country. Russians controlling everyting through inserted puppet government. Russians spoke alot about comradeship, but their stance was clear that Russians were higher breed. Do they have more right to hate every Russian?

    Hate is nothing new to Russians, they see it everywhere, due to the countries history of agressive foreign policies and spy operations.

    This makes me think this is just a propaganda bit. Primarily aimed for domestic use. “Don’t leave Russia, they’ll just hate you.”

    • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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      This makes me think this is just a propaganda bit.

      This seems like the most likely case. Could be official or volunteer because they think it will get them brownie points for a real propaganda job.