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A personal anecdote about the news out of Belarus. (Thread)
1) If you're unfamiliar with what is happening in Belarus, to simplify a complex situation for Twitter parameters, the country has been under the same dictatorial rule since 1994. Periodically, the government puts on the veneer of democracy and has elections.
These sham elections in Belarus are often marred by violence, because the Belarusian people actually want real elections, and the government brutally beats back those fighting for that outcome. (Again, simplifying for Twitter)
2) Last Sunday Belarus had one of these elections, where voter interest was high for a number of reasons, beginning with real opposition candidates running, and exacerbated by the COVID crisis, which the Belarusian government wildly mishandled. https://twitter.com/franakviacorka/status/1249377559340515335?s=20
3) I bring up this all up to share with you that, I, as a person born in Belarus, have been watching with interest how the Belarusian people have bravely taken to the streets. My parents, whose ties to Belarus are far deeper than mine, did not. https://twitter.com/JewishWonk/status/1287198680530006017?s=20
Can you blame them? The KGB is still called the KGB. The human rights record of the Belarusian government is among the worst in the world. My parents, like many Belarusian expats, didn't believe things could change. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/belarus
I've been sharing with my parents the news out of the country that folks like @franakviacorka, @HannaLiubakova, @AlexKokcharov and others have been bravely providing. Mostly, I've been getting dismissed.
But then my mother spoke with a lifelong friend who has been protesting.
But then my mother spoke with a lifelong friend who has been protesting.
I'll leave out the details of how they are connecting and where this person is protesting because, while unlikely, I am not interested in being the cause of government retaliation against a person my mother regards as chosen family.
But the gist of it is, this person is my mother's age and has been going to the protests with their adult children. And they described to my mother what they have been seeing. People of all walks of life mobilizing.
But so too has the security apparatus. https://apnews.com/9a9a4324a3c6a913ac6cc0abaedcc342
But so too has the security apparatus. https://apnews.com/9a9a4324a3c6a913ac6cc0abaedcc342
The Belarusian people, marching across the country. People coming out without fear, though there is much for them to be fearful of. People who are never political speaking their mind.
My mother's voice was shaking as she was relaying this to me. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53761747
My mother's voice was shaking as she was relaying this to me. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53761747
The friend described the experience of men in black uniforms and masks beating and shooting protesters. "They could be our neighbors."
Belarus is a small country. The total population is 9.5 million. The friend's suspicion probably has some truth to it. https://twitter.com/YoophoriaKi/status/1293164925733556225?s=20
Belarus is a small country. The total population is 9.5 million. The friend's suspicion probably has some truth to it. https://twitter.com/YoophoriaKi/status/1293164925733556225?s=20
The friend explained to my mother why they have joined the protests. Straightforward motivations.
For democracy. For a better life. For a better Belarus. For the truth.
These are things that, coming out of my mouth from the comfort of New York, my parents would have waved off.
For democracy. For a better life. For a better Belarus. For the truth.
These are things that, coming out of my mouth from the comfort of New York, my parents would have waved off.
But it's my mother's friend, putting their life and their childrens' lives on the line for a better Belarus. My mother asked her friend if they thought about leaving the country.
Apparently they have closed the border. But, even if it were open, the friend says they would stay.
Apparently they have closed the border. But, even if it were open, the friend says they would stay.
They believe Belarus can change. And they are fighting for it.
I hope the world, juggling its many crises, can devote time and resources to supporting these brave people. https://twitter.com/franakviacorka/status/1293903985296826374?s=20
I hope the world, juggling its many crises, can devote time and resources to supporting these brave people. https://twitter.com/franakviacorka/status/1293903985296826374?s=20
