I am (slightly) sorry for interrupting technical posts with politics, but, as
all responsible adults know, even when you're not interested in politics,
politics may get interested in you (insert your favorite "In Soviet Russia"
joke).
Hearing the shocking news from Russia, I constantly experience mixed feelings.
On one side, I'm lucky to live in a country, where opposition leaders are not
murdered or thrown in jail for poorly fabricated reasons, where people are not
beaten on the streets for merely expressing their opinion, where you cannot be
jailed for a like, repost or retweet, where nobody interferes in your sexual
life, where economy has not been slowly stagnating for a decade due to
incompetent thieves ruling the country, where I don't have to keep a distance
from police officers just in case (I still do - old habits die hard).
"Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the
duty of all state authority."
is how the German Constitution starts, and I have a warm feeling inside when I
see these words printed here and there, even as part of street art! I wish my
country took this seriously. I wish my country took its own Constitution
seriously. What is happening now is incomprehensible for a man who has spent
the last 7 years exploring the modern world.
On the other hand, I'm ashamed of my luck, of the fact that I'm safe and cozy
here while tens of thousands in Russia are fighting for their (and mine)
freedom, for the future of the country. I have never been the brave one. I
would not be able, like Alexey Navalny, to return to his country to face
humiliation, repressions and potentially death. And while I'm doing my best
supporting the protests with money and information, I don't return, even for a
short visit. Not because I'm such a prominent oppositionist, no. Quite the
opposite: I'm a regular guy, and if I get arrested, jailed or murdered by the
state repression machine, tens of thousands won't hit the streets. I would be a
drop in the sea of violence.
But I hate to be a person without a homeland. I hate to be ashamed to say I'm
Russian. I hate to be associated not with great classic literature, music or
fascinating nature, but with repressions and invasions in neighbor countries.
Well, at least I can be thankful to this wonderful country that became my
second - and real - home and explore it as much as the situation allows.
P.S.
If Russia means something for you, other than a far away country with vodka,
bears and a batshit crazy government, please consider helping ovdinfo.org and
zona.media. And please spread the word!