When the Ukrainian nation is analyzed through a historical materialist framework, I am amazed (not really) that liberals and other warhawks are so opposed to the idea of Donbas integration with the Russian Federation, as well with Crimea.
The Ukronazis do not want Russian speakers. Simply allow them to federate with Russia, then.
No, say the Ukronazis. That land is ours, and it is being occupied by subhuman orcs who speak a bastard Asiatic tongue and practice a barbarian religion.
The people of the Donbas and the people of Crimea do not, writ large, believe they are of the Ukrainian nation. Ukraine does not believe they are, either. Everyone believes they are ethnically and nationally Russian.
On the Russian side, it is a war for a vast variety of things, depending on who is asked. National liberation, resources, land, combating NATO expansion, Russian glory, etc. On the Ukrainian side, it is a war for land, resources, and extermination of a minority population, further privitazation, NATO expansion, and ‘proof’ of Ukrainian westernness.
I am, personally, convinced of who the “lesser evil” is in this situation. “Russia bad.” So?
addendum: It’s no difficult feat to compare and contrast the language policies of contemporary Ukraine and the Russian Federation, for want of a piece of evidence of which state is committing a so-called genocide.
Ukrainian is a recognized, official language in “occupied” Crimea. Russian has been outlawed in public spaces in Ukraine. I am unsure of how this is not the end of the conversation.
My over-simplistic US-brain sees the ethnic conflicts in former Yugoslavian states and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine/Russia over the eastern portion of Ukraine and thinks “you fools! You’re falling for the bullshit that people in my country and its allies have pumped out for at least 100 years now (as far as the US goes).”
I know it’s a bit of a stupid, child-like sentiment, but goddamn I wish it were possible to knock someone’s heads together and yell at them like kids “you’re both fucking Russian! Or Ukrainian! It doesn’t matter! Your languages are the fucking same just like Croatian and Serbian! You fucking idiots, the west wants you fighting!”
So, I dunno, maybe it’s my complete alienation from any “ethnic background” as a white-ass American whose family came here so long ago that no one can even tell me when. I just can’t wrap my mind around making such a non-issue into your entire identity and life to the point you would murder and do endless wars. The entire ideology of white supremacy and its effects on those it excludes has corrupted people’s minds so deeply that I can’t find any logic and reason in their thoughts at all. Like why the fuck would you continue fighting and dying for land that the people who inhabit it would rather live in the invading army’s country? JUST LET THEM, WTF?
When the Ukrainian nation is analyzed through a historical materialist framework, I am amazed (not really) that liberals and other warhawks are so opposed to the idea of Donbas integration with the Russian Federation, as well with Crimea.
The Ukronazis do not want Russian speakers. Simply allow them to federate with Russia, then.
No, say the Ukronazis. That land is ours, and it is being occupied by subhuman orcs who speak a bastard Asiatic tongue and practice a barbarian religion.
The people of the Donbas and the people of Crimea do not, writ large, believe they are of the Ukrainian nation. Ukraine does not believe they are, either. Everyone believes they are ethnically and nationally Russian.
On the Russian side, it is a war for a vast variety of things, depending on who is asked. National liberation, resources, land, combating NATO expansion, Russian glory, etc. On the Ukrainian side, it is a war for land, resources, and extermination of a minority population, further privitazation, NATO expansion, and ‘proof’ of Ukrainian westernness.
I am, personally, convinced of who the “lesser evil” is in this situation. “Russia bad.” So?
addendum: It’s no difficult feat to compare and contrast the language policies of contemporary Ukraine and the Russian Federation, for want of a piece of evidence of which state is committing a so-called genocide.
Ukrainian is a recognized, official language in “occupied” Crimea. Russian has been outlawed in public spaces in Ukraine. I am unsure of how this is not the end of the conversation.
My over-simplistic US-brain sees the ethnic conflicts in former Yugoslavian states and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine/Russia over the eastern portion of Ukraine and thinks “you fools! You’re falling for the bullshit that people in my country and its allies have pumped out for at least 100 years now (as far as the US goes).”
I know it’s a bit of a stupid, child-like sentiment, but goddamn I wish it were possible to knock someone’s heads together and yell at them like kids “you’re both fucking Russian! Or Ukrainian! It doesn’t matter! Your languages are the fucking same just like Croatian and Serbian! You fucking idiots, the west wants you fighting!”
So, I dunno, maybe it’s my complete alienation from any “ethnic background” as a white-ass American whose family came here so long ago that no one can even tell me when. I just can’t wrap my mind around making such a non-issue into your entire identity and life to the point you would murder and do endless wars. The entire ideology of white supremacy and its effects on those it excludes has corrupted people’s minds so deeply that I can’t find any logic and reason in their thoughts at all. Like why the fuck would you continue fighting and dying for land that the people who inhabit it would rather live in the invading army’s country? JUST LET THEM, WTF?
Shit hurts my brain, seriously.