• loathsome dongeaterA
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        9
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        2 years ago

        I understand that. But which part of it do you think confesses genocidal intent?

        • 8Petros (he/him)@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          13
          ·
          edit-2
          2 years ago

          This is indeed an interesting issue. I was born and raised inside (then) Soviet block, and it is somewhat natural for me to decode the Soviet/Russian propaganda newspeak. I also do translations and write articles in this area for years now. But when I try to answer your question, I see that this text – taken separately from my experience and cultural background – is an example of dog-whistling. This is why “interpreting” it for someone from another bubble is a challenge. The best (if deeply imperfect) non-political analogy is a passive-aggressive attitude. Usually, an outsider cannot understand the tension, caused by seemingly neutral statements. It just needs insider’s perspective.

          Now, when I started looking into it, I may offer you another way to go. There is a useful model of genocide process, formulated as a checklist of actions. This week is rather busy for me, but I see a need to prepare this checklist, supplemented (where they exist) with examples of Russian actions related to Ukraine. I will get it done within the next two weeks and post an English version here. This is the best I can do, sorry.