I haven't met a Russian who isn't at least aware of the things written on Pravda.ru to this day, though I also have not found a Russian who admits to respecting the online publication. This matter of respect is rather tough to come by in the digital age- an age when, at this very moment, you are sitting in front of your monitor reading words that any Joe Schmoe might have written (obviously you have better taste, but I am rather biased), not knowing exactly what his credentials are on the topics he writes about or if there is an editing process to speak of. Blogs, accordingly, are out of the question as are many online publications including ones I write for. The reader must become the critic, and with that I give my latest evaluation of Pravda.ru with a knowing heart that this one-time media behemoth will be fizzling out of normal domain and into the world of Bat Boy and Elvis zines.
Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey is apparently a man who likes to jump into snake pits. Said to be British born, Hinchey is an editor with Pravda.ru and lets his many ravings guide his unique, neo-propaganda style of writing. The Vancouver Sun recently covered one of his anti-Canadian Olympic ramblings in a move that, ironically, was sure to please the author for as they say, no publicity is bad publicity. If it wasn't for the fact that this little blog has a terribly small readership, I might be inclined to ignore it altogether myself.
Hinchey's latest jaw-gaping attack is on his favorite subject- the U.S. of A. In a retaliatory and venomous piece for Pravda on what he perceives as American media bias, he addresses the very complex issue of racial hatred and the perceptions thereof. The article, so lacking in appeal to the characteristically intelligent Russian reader, is little more than a soapbox complaining that Western media has a bad habit of pointing fingers at Russia while overlooking its own flaws.
A quick read of reader comments shows a Pandora's Box of pointing fingers, name calling and accusatory derogatory claims. A comedy or errors has effectively trickled down from blog to blog simply because some British-born author of a tabloid fails to produce anything that can be remotely recognized as journalism.
Arguably, however, the topic is a decent one when explored through a clearer lense. Though Hinchey is quick to point to the small numbers of racially-incited incidents in the Russian Fed. versus large numbers of similar incidents in the U.S., he has zero regard for the nuances of the subject at hand. If he wishes to argue that Russia has little problems with racial hatred, then he would be wise to show current statistics of racial ethnicities in Russia (of which, by the way, there are many thanks to the great Soviet migrations and current immigrants from the East) and compare those percentages with corresponding figures from the U.S. After that, one must examine the percentages to get a clearer understanding of how many people of a certain race/ethinicity are impacted by the figures. Lastly, and most notably in my opinion, we must look at police reporting. How many people in the U.S. report violent, racist crimes? Conversely, how many do so in Russia?
I make no accusations about what these figures might present to us. I believe, as do many, that racism is alive and well in my own country as it is in Russia and around the world. The nuances and reasons for this are plenty. Human rights organizations devote much of their efforts to examining the causes of these incidents and the repercussions for society. A careful approach to understanding how such crimes are perceived and handled in the U.S. is integral to curtailing them in future. Likewise, Russia would be remiss to not also consider the role of racist/ethnic attacks within their own boundaries. While the article seeks to 'set the record straight', it does little more than play the old blame game that is purports to despise.
Traditionally, Russia has long been a great nation of highly educated individuals eager to pass their leisurely hours reading copious amounts of books (both their own and foreign) and appreciating the rich culture that they created through a woven tapestry of its remarkable history. Many like Mr. Hinchey point to the deterioration of high Russian culture as a sure sign that capitalism is failing the Russian people. Let us take this accusation one step further- Pravda.ru, littered with advertisements for escort services and sensational headlines, contributes to that very deterioration despite the fact that many of its own authors ostensibly disavow.
Looking inwards, just as the author says, is the only verifiable way to confront the demons that haunt us all. It wasn't the quiet, docile elements of society that put Gogol on the literary map (his early career, distinctively unique thanks to his Ukrainian background, was popularized by his contemporaries eager to see a new perspective). Solzhenitsyn, though quickly pointed to by Western academics and diplomats, was likewise embraced by his fellow Russians- many of whom risked their own careers and lives in supporting his samizdat. The ability, if not downright eagerness, to look inwards is that which has long drawn many of us into the cloak of the Russian culture. I dear hope that Pravda.ru becomes nothing more than a folly- a cautionary tale at best- so that respect for the great culture grows.
-With a perspective, thank you for reading my daily rambling. As always, sharing your thoughts is always much welcomed.
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