Pushkin’s monuments are currently being destroyed in the Ukraine, under the guise that Pushkin was instrumental in “Russifying” Ukraine.
Pushkin was a bit complicated. But Africans and African-Americans looked up to him as a brilliant poet of African ancestry venerated and respected in a majority ‘white’ nation. He was an “octaroon”, but had dark skin and curly hair and he often commented on his own African features.
I find it sad to see his monuments destroyed. Disgusting as well. It must be gravy for these “de-Russifiers” that Pushkin was of African descent. Here’s a metal ass poem he wrote against tsardom. Love to hear your thoughts.
http://poemsintranslation.blogspot.com/2015/07/pushkin-ode-to-liberty-from-russian.html?m=1
So, Pushkin lived in the 19th century. This was Russia in the 19th century. Ukraine literally popped into existence almost a century after the poet was dead, so exactly what did he “russify”?
The whole “enforced Russification” is a popular talking point, used against USSR (but somehow not Russian Empire). It’s been largely propagated by NATO oriented outlets.
https://web.archive.org/web/20220125053520/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181 July 12, 2021. Putin wrote an essay on Ukrainian “national identity” as an anti-Russian one that is extremely interesting. Concludes with supporting Ukrainian independence but basically on condition that mutual respect and openish borders between the two nations are reached.
Some stuff I’m not a fan of regarding the USSR, some stuff applauding Soviets, some spiritual stuff relating to Orthodox Christianity being the great uniter of Russian people, etc. Things to be critical of and read with a critical eye. But I think it’s a good and enlightening read.