Exodus

Hiya! I know, I know. It’s been some time. However, I do have valid reasons for having neglected this blog. First of all, I left my adaptor in Greece. So, I can’t get the photos from my SD card onto my computer (I’m too cheap to buy a new adaptor). Second, I’ve moved back to Washington, DC, and I have accepted a new job as a Travel Consultant. Beyond that, I am happy to report that all is well on my end. In addition, my adaptor should be back in my possession within the next week. So, please keep your eyes peeled for photos and posts about my hiking trip to Lapland.

Previously, I have made posts that were different or out of place. I would claim that they were not the norm for this blog. Regardless, the world has deemed it fit that they become the norm. I hesitated to post something like this sooner; I feared it might not do precisely the narrative I wanted for this space. I’ve decided to throw that caution to the wind.

Before I get into, what I believe will be a lengthy piece of writing, there are some things that we need to get out of the way. To be clear, this post is about the exodus of Russian, particularly men, people from Russia since the announcement of the “mobilization.” To get into that, I think certain things are imperative to know. I feel two recent YouTube videos are essential to understand the Russian mentality from Roman (NFKRZ). The first video discusses Gorbachev and how he attempted to give Russians freedom that they did not understand. The second video discusses the events that led up to true democracy dying in Russia. I feel that these two videos give insight into how Russia, as a society, has been affected by history and may explain some of what has happened in recent history. Cue Aidan’s rant…

I find it necessary to remind everyone that there should be a clear distinction between “Russia” (the government) and “the Russian people” or “Russians.” These things are not the same.

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled programming. (Do you know where your children are?)

The Russian people and many people in the Russian Federation are intelligent, caring, honest, and hardworking people. If the Cold War did not make it obvious, the people who made the Soviet Union what it was are to be held in high regard. Now, what the government did with that is a different story. The same applies today. These people, many of whom are still alive today, want many of the same things those of us in the West want. We all want to go to work, have a family, have a place to call home, have access to decent healthcare, take vacations, retire, and so much more. However, those in Russia were used to all of this being provided by the state. Instead, for us Americans, it was something we gave ourselves as individuals. While the USSR may have suppressed much of its population, and many barely scraped by, the masses made it through. At the same time, in America, we glamorized everything we could buy. However, we never stopped to ask ourselves how many of us are capable of buying all these things.

Regardless, I think you get the point. The capitalist and socialist (not really, it was a dictatorship, generally) systems had flaws. My point is that we all wanted and expected the same things. The way we received them or earned them was different. When the Russian SFSR could no longer hold up the USSR, it crashed. In its wake, a bunch of people suddenly needed to understand how to embrace the freedom to do things for themselves. The individual suddenly had to decide how they wanted healthcare and how much healthcare they wanted. They had to choose where they wanted to buy groceries, which groceries and brands to buy, and when. This was abnormal. It is no wonder that when it came to politics, Russians were lost as to what to do. Many had been told lies their whole lives and understood that the state-controlled media consisted of heavy amounts of cow feces.

Nevertheless, they understood that the government got to do what it wanted and would uphold its end of the bargain so long as the people did their thing in their lane. The government would make their BS come true for lack of better wording. At least when looking at it at the surface level. To a certain extent, this agreement existed until last week. The Russian people were willing to put up with a certain level of nonsense from their government so long as it did not heavily impact their own lives. However, a mobilization, as partial as it may be announced, was too far for some. So, many protested.

“If everyone protested, the Russian people could win.” Yeah, you’re probably right, but that’ll never happen. We like to see things as black and white. The Russian people have always understood that it is confusing, complicated, and colored like charcoal.

History repeats itself until it doesn’t. You see, the Russian people are drilled in Russian history from a young age. A significant theme that is consistently harped upon is that every major turnover in government is out of a bloody, painful revolution. While this is true, it lacks context and dismisses the possibility of any social progress gained. However, it does not help that the fall of the Soviet Union led to a harrowing financial and economic situation in Russia. When democracy died in Russia in 1993, so did the idea that the Russian people would ever revolt as the Americans did. (Isn’t that an interesting thing? Wishing the Russians would rebel against their overbearing governor? Americans and Russians couldn’t be more alike.) The painful thoughts brought up by history, the knowledge of how heavy the police state is, and the understanding of power in Russia have made it nearly impossible for Russians even to consider revolting or replacing their government. Yet, still, some do protest. However, all hope is not lost. I believe there is a certain threshold even most Russians will not allow their government to cross. Where that threshold lies and what it will take to get them to move it forward is lost to me.

Nevertheless, that does not mean we cannot do more for this Exodus. While all Ukrainians deserve our support and love, so do the innocent Russians seeking a new home. The West must collectively step up and provide a safe haven for Russians. Russia, in history, has offered this world so much for so little, all of it coming off the backs of those who never asked for much or were forced to accept very little. It is only fair that we provide them with the opportunity to do that in the West. If it hasn’t already been made abundantly clear, the Russian people are not all that different from us. So, let’s drain the brain of Russia and sink Putin deeper into his self-dug grave. Let’s put the nail in his coffin. Kick the border doors down and let those who wish to live a better life and participate in a semi-properly functioning society do so. The West has an opportunity to strike a blow to the Russian state, taking away its greatest asset, its hostages.

Russia, as a civilization, has provided so much to this world. I have only the highest respect for the Russian people, and it saddens me what the government has forced them into. The potential of these people, both individually and as a group, is beyond words. If Russia were already a part of the West, it would be one of the most developed countries on the planet. Maybe I’m biased, and perhaps I’m wearing rose-colored glasses. Regardless, I know that the Russian people are not that different. I know that one day, I will get to sit at a table with all of my friends and truly not see any difference between my Russian and American friends. (Well, they’ll have accents in English, and none of my American friends will speak a second language.) So, welcome the Exodus.

End rant.

Did you know the Pumpkin Spice Latte (Grande) is 390 calories? Instead of drinking your calories, eat them with this NYT recipe for Parmesan-Pumpkin Polenta. It was amazing, btw. Also, that photo was the last photo I took in Russia.

Until next time, Aidan