Thank you for centering 'non white and non Christian' as a critical part of a larger narrative about the global community and the desperate survival of humanity. Increasingly, some in media are persistent in highlighting the 'back of the bus' treatment of black and brown folks who are fleeing this horrific and maddening conflict. I saw a story on MSNBC about an African woman trying to flee with her infant and having to fight to get across the border and in freezing temperatures. This story is no less horrifying than the story yesterday of the hospital with pregnant woman and children. There is so much suffering and tragedy for everyone in Ukraine and citizens of Russia. I also read that some Ukrainian citizens who are from Russia were being targeted by the Russian military and likely mercenaries. I've learned so much over the past 4 years, especially that while there are so many courageous and generous human beings (healthcare workers, Ukrainian citizens willing to stand up for their country, political leadership when it counts -President Zelensky), there are also way to many cruel and heartless human beings in this world. #IStandWithUkraine
Agree. Excellent and necessary piece. Weoponization of refugees is sad. The same can be said for the disparate treatment where the refugees are of different races/ethnicity. But chaos and instability is Putin’s goal.
Perhaps Putin's ultimate goal is to disrupt and weaken Europe by flooding it with millions of refugees. He saw the value of using desperate people as weapons in Syria, which sent 100,000 refugees to Europe. Now it will be millions. The horrors and lives lost are unfathomable. Putin must be stopped.
Thank you for this piece. We live in a Euro-White dominated intellectual & diplomatic culture in which both liberals and conservatives Always forgive ourselves for designating some people (Syrians, Palestinians, Rohingyas come to mind) as dispensable. Now the desperate refugees look like us who are called White…
The scenes from Ukraine are truly heartbreaking. I saw the photo posted here earlier and was gobsmacked by the enormity of the tragedy. We're heartened by the brave words and actions of Ukrainian soldiers and President Zelensky but this image immediately brings home the terrible cost of war.
Putin and his miscalculation of a quick success is at the heart of this, and from all indications he's ready to double down on the vicious assaults on Ukraine and her citizens. Yet within the US, we still have Putin apologists as well as Fox celebrities twisting themselves to explain away the reasons for the carnage. Tucker Carlson resorted to blaming Kamala Harris for his Putin posturing because the illogic goes, no one would send Harris to Europe if the situation were truly dangerous.
The propaganda and disinformation continues as does the spilling of blood. All for the sake of another small, vindictive man valuing his own power and position above all else.
I certainly hope Americans trust their own eyes and ears during and beyond this crisis.
This is a House Authoritarianism Built. And yes, those refugees could be us if we're not careful and mindful of what destructive, illiberal leadership really means.
I love that, Jon! And plan to “steal” it too. A small thing but how many people even think of saying anything at all personal to ALL the cashiers in our lives, and see them as Real People?! Thank you
My thoughts as well. Many are picking up on that point. Not just race however, religion as well. Hopefully, more will begin to see this and we can start to push for recognition and solutions. Not sure that will come from the US. We have problems with CRT, and now passing laws so we can’t say gay. Young souls……….. Check out Ivan Ilyin, Ruth knows his work. Tim Snyder is an expert in this area. Putin appears to have gone off the deep end with this Holy Religious Empire stuff. He got it from Ilyin. Much like Hitler. Thanks for confronting the white issue. 💕💕
About 2M of 41M Ukrainians have left the country. Of those who have not yet left, a certain proportion (30% or 11.7M ???) are combat capable. If most of the remaining 27M are exfiltrated, what then? We might see a country populated almost entirely with combatants. Sounds like a meat grinder that yields only tragedy to me. Is there not a deus ex machina in the wings?
The world should demand that the Ukrainians must be able to live life according to their own wishes and aspirations. NO to Putin and NO to Nato. Just live.
Strongmen and far right populists seeking power have previously feasted on the refugee crisis in Europe. Non white refugees were a much stronger source of potential instability in European democracies like Britain, France, Germany etc.
This time however, Putin unleashing millions of white Ukrainian refugees into Eastern Europe might seem like it is a secondary goal of Putin's cause he played that card in the past. Now I would argue, his secondary goal is not only not being met but is backfiring on him rather spectacularly. NATO countries and democratic alliances in Europe and around the world are now more unified and stronger than ever. Germany is even increasing its defense budget. Not to mention the world hates Putin, and is sending military aid, money and sympathy into Ukraine at a breakneck speed. A calculating Putin may have thought his brutal aggression into Ukraine would work to weaken and destabilize NATO and its ability to protect democracy against autocracy. But exactly the opposite has happened. Democracy and NATO are stronger and more unified than ever! Thanks to you Vlady..
Thanks. Your level of knowledge and insight is appreciated. I have seen your circle posting more. Who knew, all we were reading, learning and discussing would lead up to this. I have posted a number of times about the “white Christian “ factor. When the dust settles, we who push the boundaries on social media will need to pick up this torch more. This subject must be addressed in the US and the world. Thanks again Ruth.
I pray we do learn our humanitarian lessons. Well with the world on fire and the ever present climate crisis and the chaos that follows; the world needs all the preparation it can get to help the refugee phenomenon that awaits us all.
The US and NATO cannot contain Putin by continuing to employ shredded Cold War rules of engagement, and more than Democatic leadership could contain Trump with shredded norms. The time for NSC lawyers to burn oil deciding which shade of grey is permissible, or hoping that sanctions would pressure Putin to end his genocide is over. The world is at war...Putin is betting that sabre rattling about nuclear war will contain the West, and he's been correct thus far. The reality is that neither Putin nor Trump is even slightly suicidal, so end of the world scenarios are just excuses for inaction. It's essential that the West act now...regime change is a wistful hope, a Russian rebellion is another fantasy. Either we act now and save hundreds of thousands of lives, and stop Putin while there's still time, or we wait until he attacks a NATO member. Then what? Putin still has nuclear weapons and will be further emboldened by US and NATO cowering, and NATO will be weaker for the tens if millions of refugees that it must absorb. I understand the complexities of a 'no fly zone' but we either call Putin's bluff now or we're all forced to be complicit in genocide. And yes, I think Putin will use a short-range tactical nuclear weapon because he's a vindictive, vengeful, little man, to show his dominance, no matter what the West does. Failure to act decisively now will forever destroy whatever is left of US' standing in the world.
I agree that Putin will use tactical nuclear weapons if he gets painted into a corner. He seems like a typical megalomaniacal authoritarian. He seems to have a grandiose self image, so common in sociopathic authoritarians. He also tries to portray himself as macho, just like most fascist leaders of the past.
The Christian writer C. S. Lewis once said, in reference to our personhood: “A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.” Putin, Xi, and many others have no such belief. In their societies your “value”, if you even want to call it that, is something prescribed within their framework of power and control. A recent dramatic example is the new Russian law that calling Putin’s invasion a “war”, instead of a “special military operation”, can get you 15 years in prison. I repeat…..15 years in prison. Also, look at how China treats Uyghurs and other ethnic groups. It’s the threat of nuclear war that is allowing Putin to continue what he’s doing. People and big business, despite profit loss, must now elevate human freedom and rights to the top of their requirements for international relations, and it must be quick and dramatic. I’m glad business is abandoning Russia en mass. I hope the suffering populace will rise up.
The Russian populace is accustomed to suffering, they will not rise up. There are more Russians over the age of 50 than below. They have been subjected to 20 years of 24/7 Putin state TV...40% of the US turned against democracy after only 2 years of propaganda. The young who have means are fleeing Russia, but Putin's approval has risen since the war began. The power of propaganda is real.
Thank you for your empathy, Ruth. Be strong!
Thank you for centering 'non white and non Christian' as a critical part of a larger narrative about the global community and the desperate survival of humanity. Increasingly, some in media are persistent in highlighting the 'back of the bus' treatment of black and brown folks who are fleeing this horrific and maddening conflict. I saw a story on MSNBC about an African woman trying to flee with her infant and having to fight to get across the border and in freezing temperatures. This story is no less horrifying than the story yesterday of the hospital with pregnant woman and children. There is so much suffering and tragedy for everyone in Ukraine and citizens of Russia. I also read that some Ukrainian citizens who are from Russia were being targeted by the Russian military and likely mercenaries. I've learned so much over the past 4 years, especially that while there are so many courageous and generous human beings (healthcare workers, Ukrainian citizens willing to stand up for their country, political leadership when it counts -President Zelensky), there are also way to many cruel and heartless human beings in this world. #IStandWithUkraine
Agree. Excellent and necessary piece. Weoponization of refugees is sad. The same can be said for the disparate treatment where the refugees are of different races/ethnicity. But chaos and instability is Putin’s goal.
Perhaps Putin's ultimate goal is to disrupt and weaken Europe by flooding it with millions of refugees. He saw the value of using desperate people as weapons in Syria, which sent 100,000 refugees to Europe. Now it will be millions. The horrors and lives lost are unfathomable. Putin must be stopped.
Thank you for this piece. We live in a Euro-White dominated intellectual & diplomatic culture in which both liberals and conservatives Always forgive ourselves for designating some people (Syrians, Palestinians, Rohingyas come to mind) as dispensable. Now the desperate refugees look like us who are called White…
It just bubbles the cruelty of white supremacy to the surface. Even whites aren't safe in the face of greed.
The scenes from Ukraine are truly heartbreaking. I saw the photo posted here earlier and was gobsmacked by the enormity of the tragedy. We're heartened by the brave words and actions of Ukrainian soldiers and President Zelensky but this image immediately brings home the terrible cost of war.
Putin and his miscalculation of a quick success is at the heart of this, and from all indications he's ready to double down on the vicious assaults on Ukraine and her citizens. Yet within the US, we still have Putin apologists as well as Fox celebrities twisting themselves to explain away the reasons for the carnage. Tucker Carlson resorted to blaming Kamala Harris for his Putin posturing because the illogic goes, no one would send Harris to Europe if the situation were truly dangerous.
The propaganda and disinformation continues as does the spilling of blood. All for the sake of another small, vindictive man valuing his own power and position above all else.
I certainly hope Americans trust their own eyes and ears during and beyond this crisis.
This is a House Authoritarianism Built. And yes, those refugees could be us if we're not careful and mindful of what destructive, illiberal leadership really means.
Keep conversations flowing at the checkout lines an golden opportunity to converse. One shoulder tap at a time.
I'm ending transactions after the cashier says thank you, with a sincere
' remember to vote '
I love that, Jon! And plan to “steal” it too. A small thing but how many people even think of saying anything at all personal to ALL the cashiers in our lives, and see them as Real People?! Thank you
White supremacy on display.
My thoughts as well. Many are picking up on that point. Not just race however, religion as well. Hopefully, more will begin to see this and we can start to push for recognition and solutions. Not sure that will come from the US. We have problems with CRT, and now passing laws so we can’t say gay. Young souls……….. Check out Ivan Ilyin, Ruth knows his work. Tim Snyder is an expert in this area. Putin appears to have gone off the deep end with this Holy Religious Empire stuff. He got it from Ilyin. Much like Hitler. Thanks for confronting the white issue. 💕💕
Thanks for that reading tip, Art!
Makes me so sick!! bullies get to always do as they want until they're stopped.
About 2M of 41M Ukrainians have left the country. Of those who have not yet left, a certain proportion (30% or 11.7M ???) are combat capable. If most of the remaining 27M are exfiltrated, what then? We might see a country populated almost entirely with combatants. Sounds like a meat grinder that yields only tragedy to me. Is there not a deus ex machina in the wings?
The world should demand that the Ukrainians must be able to live life according to their own wishes and aspirations. NO to Putin and NO to Nato. Just live.
Strongmen and far right populists seeking power have previously feasted on the refugee crisis in Europe. Non white refugees were a much stronger source of potential instability in European democracies like Britain, France, Germany etc.
This time however, Putin unleashing millions of white Ukrainian refugees into Eastern Europe might seem like it is a secondary goal of Putin's cause he played that card in the past. Now I would argue, his secondary goal is not only not being met but is backfiring on him rather spectacularly. NATO countries and democratic alliances in Europe and around the world are now more unified and stronger than ever. Germany is even increasing its defense budget. Not to mention the world hates Putin, and is sending military aid, money and sympathy into Ukraine at a breakneck speed. A calculating Putin may have thought his brutal aggression into Ukraine would work to weaken and destabilize NATO and its ability to protect democracy against autocracy. But exactly the opposite has happened. Democracy and NATO are stronger and more unified than ever! Thanks to you Vlady..
Thanks. Your level of knowledge and insight is appreciated. I have seen your circle posting more. Who knew, all we were reading, learning and discussing would lead up to this. I have posted a number of times about the “white Christian “ factor. When the dust settles, we who push the boundaries on social media will need to pick up this torch more. This subject must be addressed in the US and the world. Thanks again Ruth.
I pray we do learn our humanitarian lessons. Well with the world on fire and the ever present climate crisis and the chaos that follows; the world needs all the preparation it can get to help the refugee phenomenon that awaits us all.
The US and NATO cannot contain Putin by continuing to employ shredded Cold War rules of engagement, and more than Democatic leadership could contain Trump with shredded norms. The time for NSC lawyers to burn oil deciding which shade of grey is permissible, or hoping that sanctions would pressure Putin to end his genocide is over. The world is at war...Putin is betting that sabre rattling about nuclear war will contain the West, and he's been correct thus far. The reality is that neither Putin nor Trump is even slightly suicidal, so end of the world scenarios are just excuses for inaction. It's essential that the West act now...regime change is a wistful hope, a Russian rebellion is another fantasy. Either we act now and save hundreds of thousands of lives, and stop Putin while there's still time, or we wait until he attacks a NATO member. Then what? Putin still has nuclear weapons and will be further emboldened by US and NATO cowering, and NATO will be weaker for the tens if millions of refugees that it must absorb. I understand the complexities of a 'no fly zone' but we either call Putin's bluff now or we're all forced to be complicit in genocide. And yes, I think Putin will use a short-range tactical nuclear weapon because he's a vindictive, vengeful, little man, to show his dominance, no matter what the West does. Failure to act decisively now will forever destroy whatever is left of US' standing in the world.
I agree that Putin will use tactical nuclear weapons if he gets painted into a corner. He seems like a typical megalomaniacal authoritarian. He seems to have a grandiose self image, so common in sociopathic authoritarians. He also tries to portray himself as macho, just like most fascist leaders of the past.
My thought hearing Ukrainian cities were being shelled from a distance: Send commandos into Russia, or wherever the big guns are, to destroy them.
The Christian writer C. S. Lewis once said, in reference to our personhood: “A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.” Putin, Xi, and many others have no such belief. In their societies your “value”, if you even want to call it that, is something prescribed within their framework of power and control. A recent dramatic example is the new Russian law that calling Putin’s invasion a “war”, instead of a “special military operation”, can get you 15 years in prison. I repeat…..15 years in prison. Also, look at how China treats Uyghurs and other ethnic groups. It’s the threat of nuclear war that is allowing Putin to continue what he’s doing. People and big business, despite profit loss, must now elevate human freedom and rights to the top of their requirements for international relations, and it must be quick and dramatic. I’m glad business is abandoning Russia en mass. I hope the suffering populace will rise up.
The Russian populace is accustomed to suffering, they will not rise up. There are more Russians over the age of 50 than below. They have been subjected to 20 years of 24/7 Putin state TV...40% of the US turned against democracy after only 2 years of propaganda. The young who have means are fleeing Russia, but Putin's approval has risen since the war began. The power of propaganda is real.