Dignified Russian: Are Labor Camps really necessary?
By: Maksim Revontesh
Translated to English & Written by: Lilliana Ray
In wake of the verdict surrounding punk rock collective Pussy Riot, I thought I’d like to discuss with you guys the subject of Labor Camps. Before we begin, keep this question in your mind; what year are we win? 2012, right?
It was announced yesterday that Pussy Riot’s possible fate could very well be a labor camp, not a prison center, a freaking labor camp — does anyone else see that as borderline slavery? Is my beloved country, Russia, that far behind in the times that politicians have the power to subject residents like ourselves to things like penal labor in concentration camps?
I bring this up because as a person I have family that comes from many parts of the world, some that are identical to that of the way Russia works itself. Take Jamaica for example, a dear cousin of mine remains imprisoned for up to 10 years due to his homosexuality forced to do penal labor for a lifestyle he couldn’t change.
Comparing these, they make for a good discussion. Taking a big logical look at both of those situations; Pussy Riot’s imprisonment and then my own cousin’s imprisonment [one currently in a labor camp, whilst the next may be there soon] are they really necessary? Do they really teach people anything other than to feel terrified of themselves to the point they become mindless slaves?
Living in the heart of Moscow, I’ve seen some of the craziest things being done to innocent residents under the power of Vladmir Putin; who often reminds me of Adolf Hilter in more ways than one. Hitler & Putin share one major thing in common, they both wanted nothing more than absolute power.
As a supporter for ‘Freedom of Speech‘ I have to say Vladamir Putin has sunk to an all-time ego driven low. Did Pussy Riot really get imprisoned for their impromptu performance, or did Pussy Riot get imprisoned because Putin felt his ego being challenged by a group of brave women who wouldn’t dare let somebody step on their legal rights?
Related articles
- ROCK N’ RIOT: Protests planned ahead of Pussy Riot verdict – New York Daily News (nydailynews.com)
- Rampant Corruption in the Chinese Communist Party’s Forced Labor System (Part 3 of 3) (vttyks.wordpress.com)
- China frees woman who battled daughter’s rape case (bikyamasr.com)
- Mother of underage prostitution victim sent to labor camp (fmnnow.com)
- Free Pussy Riot (gabrielconstans.wordpress.com)
- Mother of underage prostitution victim freed from labor camp (fmnnow.com)
That’s a really good comparison. Both issues were clear cases of freedom of speech, one more freedom of expression than anything but still relatively the same thing. I think the issue here is exactly what Maksim pointed out, Putin’s ego.
Жить в центре Москвы, я видел некоторые из самых сумасшедших вещей делается для мирных жителей под властью Владимира Путина, который часто напоминает мне о Адольф Гитлер в более чем один путь. Гитлер и Путин делят один крупный общую черту, они оба хотели не более, чем абсолютную власть.
It really doesn’t surprise me that Russia is trying to send these women to a concentration camp. When my parents were younger, they nearly got sent to a concentration camp for defying certain laws Russia had back in the day.