Experiencing an Authoritarian Government
I lived for the first six years of my life in the Soviet Union. It was not as harsh as it had been from 1930 to the 1950s, but I have patterns that were passed on to me from my parents and grandparents. These patterns are being reinforced by the current politics in Russia. The following are some of my feelings:
Terrified: Anything can happen at any time, and there is no way to protect myself or defend against the unjust system.
Distrustful of others: Even though I am now living in the United Kingdom, I am always cautious when I meet other Russians because I don’t know where they stand politically.
Powerless and hopeless: Seeing things change from bad to worse.
Cynical and numb: Being forced to accept the violence and authoritarianism as normal.
Surbiton, United Kingdom
(Present Time 203, April 2021)