• 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.