Governments ≠ People
A final word on the subject - for now anyway. I felt the need to say it as I read and hear about instances of hate. I feel the need to say it as someone who experienced something similar.
War robs people of their voices, no matter which side they are on.
Always remember that people are not their governments; do not villainize or dehumanize others based on nationality. Do not treat them as personifications and manifestations of all that you stand against. Let them speak for themselves - very often, they too stand for the same causes you do, and very often they too condemn the same things.
Helplessness has different faces. You can show solidarity with the victim without demonizing others - the people are just as helpless, and they're the other side of this coin. All that does is create or exacerbate the sense of alienization and isolation from the world, for a population that's about to be ostracized and blacked out for the faults of its regime.
There are countless Russian creators on Second life. So while we're out supporting our Ukrainian friends, let's not forget to show them some kindness. They too face an uncertain, increasingly bleak future. And they too are in a position they didn't choose.
If the thought offends you or you need to have it broken down, feel free to remove me. I'm okay with that. I don't believe in shitting on people based on arbitrary labels they have no say in, or based on the actions of a government they most certainly didn't choose.
Okay. I think I'm done. I think.
Governments ≠ People
A final word on the subject - for now anyway. I felt the need to say it as I read and hear about instances of hate. I feel the need to say it as someone who experienced something similar.
War robs people of their voices, no matter which side they are on.
Always remember that people are not their governments; do not villainize or dehumanize others based on nationality. Do not treat them as personifications and manifestations of all that you stand against. Let them speak for themselves - very often, they too stand for the same causes you do, and very often they too condemn the same things.
Helplessness has different faces. You can show solidarity with the victim without demonizing others - the people are just as helpless, and they're the other side of this coin. All that does is create or exacerbate the sense of alienization and isolation from the world, for a population that's about to be ostracized and blacked out for the faults of its regime.
There are countless Russian creators on Second life. So while we're out supporting our Ukrainian friends, let's not forget to show them some kindness. They too face an uncertain, increasingly bleak future. And they too are in a position they didn't choose.
If the thought offends you or you need to have it broken down, feel free to remove me. I'm okay with that. I don't believe in shitting on people based on arbitrary labels they have no say in, or based on the actions of a government they most certainly didn't choose.
Okay. I think I'm done. I think.