The cartoon "Polygon"

[antikristuseke]

Originally Posted by CCIP

As a Russian myself, I would have to say that's an extremely accurate general description. You definitely have a good understanding of the culture in this regard.

Otherwise as far as former republics, look, it's not the Russians that have to apologize. It's their unelected and oppressive leaders. While I completely understand that the republics and other countries of the "near abroad" have definitely been wronged and were relatively worse off under Soviet pressure/rule than independently, I disagree that they got the short end of the stick. If anyone did, it was almost always the Russians themselves. In fact day-to-day conditions in republics, from what I know, were better than the Russian SSR itself (and I know this from having relatives in Estonia myself) for most of Soviet rule. But again, perhaps Russians just had less to miss as far as freedom and prosperity goes...

That said, I'm personally sorry that it had to be that way. I wish those mistreated by Soviet authorities, however, would stop projecting their anger and disdain onto today's Russians (and at least to some extent today's Russian state, although it does deserve a fair amount of skepticism). Most of those complicit in the injustices of those days are dead or at least retired now. And I really wish that the new generation of Russians grows up without the impression that the rest of the world hates them for wrongs that they as individuals never really had a part in.

And that is a really great animation, by the way. Very original visual style, thoughtful (if indeed very glum) concept.

Dont´'t disagree with anything you have said here.

But I do project some disdain towards Russians here in Estonia who flat out refuse to learn the language, but still demand citizenship and other assorted problems from that contingent of people.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

Dont´'t disagree with anything you have said here.

But I do project some disdain towards Russians here in Estonia who flat out refuse to learn the language, but still demand citizenship and other assorted problems from that contingent of people.

Totally understandable. While I think many Russians are treated kind of unfairly in the Baltic just because they're Russian, I think some of the habits have to change. Russians have plenty to learn of good civic habits there anyway - I just wish both sides would tone down the nationalism a little. When I went to Estonia in the early 90s, it really struck me how much more civil, clean and quiet the place seemed than neighbouring Russia. Those things are worth protecting from too much Russian influence than national identity as such, I think.

I have a lot of relatives in Estonia (ironically, they're more German and Swedish by blood than Russian) and most of them, I would say, are doing pretty well. They're not stuck on national identity and are active members of their communities instead. I wish everyone could just do that.

[antikristuseke]

Agreed, rabbid nationalism does noone any good.