I grew up in communism. I lived in a small town. In every town, there were
obvious people who were reporting back to the government (mailman, pub owner, etc.). You were always careful around those people. Years later a list of informants came out -- we were surprised who was on (and who wasn't).
After the collapse, you could go and che…
I grew up in communism. I lived in a small town. In every town, there were
obvious people who were reporting back to the government (mailman, pub owner, etc.). You were always careful around those people. Years later a list of informants came out -- we were surprised who was on (and who wasn't).
After the collapse, you could go and check file they had on you.
Especially insidious was school spying. First day of school after summer vacation, we always had to write an essay: "What did I do during my summer vacation." or "What I think about <insert your favorite leader here>?" And kids would write stupid things that heard from parents/relatives.
My mother grew up in a communist country. She told me a story about how her mother once spent Christmas in jail (6 month sentence, part of which overlapped Christmas) for listening to the radio. They lived in a 1 bedroom apartment in a large building. She said it was a given that one of the neighbors ratted her out. Not so long ago, almost anyone in a western country would have said, 'that could never happen here'. But here we are.
When I talk to westerners about communism, freedom and dangers of government overreach, they don't get it. They think I am paranoid and those things can never happen in their countries.
I grew up in communism. I lived in a small town. In every town, there were
obvious people who were reporting back to the government (mailman, pub owner, etc.). You were always careful around those people. Years later a list of informants came out -- we were surprised who was on (and who wasn't).
After the collapse, you could go and check file they had on you.
Especially insidious was school spying. First day of school after summer vacation, we always had to write an essay: "What did I do during my summer vacation." or "What I think about <insert your favorite leader here>?" And kids would write stupid things that heard from parents/relatives.
My mother grew up in a communist country. She told me a story about how her mother once spent Christmas in jail (6 month sentence, part of which overlapped Christmas) for listening to the radio. They lived in a 1 bedroom apartment in a large building. She said it was a given that one of the neighbors ratted her out. Not so long ago, almost anyone in a western country would have said, 'that could never happen here'. But here we are.
Her name is Alexa. She has a nonbinary pal named Siri.
your voice should be heard as the loudest against this tyranny and what awaits if it is allowed and worst, accepted.
When I talk to westerners about communism, freedom and dangers of government overreach, they don't get it. They think I am paranoid and those things can never happen in their countries.
I hear you loud and clear and so do many of us.