Why do the majority of Russians just don’t give a fuck? Part 2
Let’s continue this topic by trying to figure out the terminology. A very empathic non-binary person gave me a short study to read, “A Review of Contemporary Quantitative National Identity Studies”, by Alena Savitskaya.
This article uses the terms “constructive patriotism”. “Nationalism” in the sense of «nazism». Let’s assume.
One of the studies is called The World Values Study. It is put out by the ISSP.
The World Values Study — I already think that sounds pretty cool.
To me, the whole point is in the “social identity theories” part:
- Group discrimination.
- Favoritism as a consequence of belonging to a group.
Right now, I’m intensely experiencing national identity because my country is being targeted for genocide, right? I’m hanging tightly to identity because it’s a uniting factor for survival.
And you know what? THE RUSSIAN PSYCHE WORKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.
A sense of nationalism is about belonging to a group and can compensate for nationwide ills: Low level of economic development. High levels of social inequality. The recent historical experience of armed conflict.
There is some part of this programming, something so basic, that in wartime, Russians (even the most normal ones) find their nationalism awakened without even being aware of it. There is something from the primitive group feelings, which are typical for most people.
Here’s more from the article: “Pride of country is associated with nationalism (and, consequently, xenophobia) far more strongly than pride in its concrete achievements, such as democratic ones.”
Russia`s provinces is terribly poor, but has a myth of Greatness.
And also the fact that when things were going well in Ukraine I was not jumping out of my pants just from happiness for us. None of us were going to conquer the neighboring country and do good to it.
The fact is that there are Z-patriots living in Russia from the poorest provinces, and they have different motives than Ukrainians under fire who have something to protect.
For example, some Russians don’t understand why we make jokes about them. But after all, hate begets hate. And for some reason they don’t understand that it’s a normal human reaction to the fucked up things that are happening. Like how they don’t want to hear the name of their country made fun of when their country is literally killing us. But we’re just joking about it. Recently, I made a compilation of Ukrainian new art and significant symbols from February 24, and no one from the Russians’ chat room came to look. There wasn’t even anything humiliating them.
Another example: they don’t like the fact that I represent “the other”. That I am angry (even though it is for a good reason). That I am not part of their group.
Back to the article: I ran my eyes over the checklist, and I realized that if I had asked myself similar questions before and after the war, the answers would have been different.
By what standards does my national identity take shape?
- I enjoy our freedom of speech and civil rights.
- I have seen here how protests and petitions are workable methods to influence the situation. I even have personal experience with victory.
- I’ve lived here most of my life, since I was 5 years old; everyone I care about is here, the places I grew up in.
- I respect Ukrainian history, which proves the vitality of the Ukrainian ethnos, language, and myth. My ancestors fought to leave a cultural heritage in the middle of constantly attacking empires.
- I love the Ukrainian language.
- I have a sentiment for Ukrainian folk rituals, the aesthetics of folk dress, and folk songs. I studied the arts.
- I only know the part of my family that lives in Ukraine.
- My father from Russia has not called me even once since the beginning of the war (This disrespect hits me at the level of my subconscious, leaving me unable to remain objective…).
Which of these points is propaganda?
Why is my patriotism considered now as dangerous? I explain its reasons as a factor for the survival of the nation, not for the capture of other people’s territories.
About my story yesterday, where the chat room Russians showed lazy empathy, even talking about their own people in parallel, while we were being bombed by their army — in Ukraine such a reaction to a person in trouble is a complete cringe. They somehow don’t understand that when you sit in the dark for hours in extreme stress…
So for the Russians in this chat I only fill the role of “the stranger”. These Russians say “we are powerless to do anything.” No. There is something you can do. For example: see in a Ukrainian under fire a real person who is very afraid.
People in Russia often have doublethink. It happens to me, too. I consider myself a helpless sheep, but this article is my act of resistance. Otherwise I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t speak out at least somewhere.
I have an inner conflict inside of me. I don’t want to admit the fact that in order to liberate my homeland it is necessary to kill living people. And I’m tired of reading Ukrainian chat rooms, where you are pumped with hatred for the enemy. I don’t want murder either.
Russians want to not follow the situation in Ukraine to avoid feeling guilty. To not know. To not be involved. To protect themselves from incoming information.
Russian, your even virtual acquaintance is under fire; she is in mortal danger — but you won’t get emotionally involved. It’s too hard. If instead I were from Russia, you might think of how you can help (if you have enough resources). But since Ukraine is so far away, you think you are not responsible, even if the missiles flying overhead are bought with your taxes.
Of course, such a low level of self-reflection from psychologists is strange, but what can any of us do? These are such basic instincts.
P.S. Edited by Dorian. Thank you very much.
