I like that you made a connection between this group and the “white trash” stereotype in America. It’s interesting to me how, internationally, groups in lower socioeconomic classes are seen as trashy or inherently annoying in nature.
Author: whitlockg
Comment on All the Lies We Cannot See: Operation Infektion and HIV/AIDS in the Soviet Union by whitlockg
I really liked your post! And that we both wrote on the same topic and used similar sources but still analyzed uniquely! I think you offer some great insight to the pure fear that revolved around HIV/AIDS and how that fear manifests in false accounts and suspicions! I also really like the visuals you used!
Comment on AIDS and the “high-risk” group. by whitlockg
It is unfortunate! I would say that when we look at the time frame these stigmas existed publicly and intensely just 20 to 30 years ago. I think Emma did a great job of talking about more modern implications of the crisis in Russia! https://emmajeanhistory.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/all-the-lies-we-cannot-see-operation-infektion-and-hiv-aids-in-the-soviet-union/#more-113
Comment on AIDS and the “high-risk” group. by whitlockg
I think one of the largest reason we still see this stigmatization persist is that often information doesn’t transcend prejudice. The hyper sexualization of queer people and the stigmatization that queer/LGBTQ people are more likely to harbor STDs and HIV/AIDS continues to persist today, and as a queer person it’s difficult to understand that stigma against me. I don’t know much about the AIDS stigma in 21st century Russia but I do know that the Russian stigma towards LGBT individuals in general is scary, I could definitely see the stigma around AIDS being especially harmful! Thanks!
Comment on Fighting in Afghanistan Never Works by whitlockg
I think this is an interesting post! I think you described the tension in the region very well! I also think we can see this act of superpowers seating new leaders in foreign countries being rather common throughout the 20th and 21st century!
Comment on The Theatre Thaw(?) by whitlockg
Brecht is a really interesting person to research! I’m not exactly sure I can encapsulate all of it, but I believe a primary reason Brecht was not welcome is because while he was a Marxist, he remained rather critical of the regime in power, and his plays reflected that perspective.
Comment on Everybody’s a critic: Khrushchev’s thoughts on art by whitlockg
I really liked your post! I wrote about something similar (As Dr. Nelson pointed out) I remember learning about this fight between Krushchev and artists in a previous class. It is really interesting to see the thaw still have such set limits on artistic expression.
Comment on All is Fair in Love and War by whitlockg
I really like this post because I think it gives us not only a different insight into the war itself but to the Soviet front which we typically regard as brutal and emotionless!
Comment on Religious Return by whitlockg
I liked how you mentioned the differences between the Revolution ideals and Stalinist ideals! Even if it was only motivated to ensure he stayed in power!!
Comment on The Girl with the Tokarev SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle. by whitlockg
Thank you! However I do disagree with you in response to her quote. Dehumanizing Nazis is not the equivalent of dehumanizing Jewish populations. When a Nazi is dehumanized it is because they promote and advocate for the intentional harm and destruction of minorities. Nazis pose an immediate danger to people around them if they are given a platform. However when a minority population is dehumanized it is on the basis of their cultural, social, or ethnic background. Silencing voices who advocate for the oppression and extermination of minorities, I believe is of the upmost importance.
