Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Revolution For Nice People in a Nice Country

The documentary is called Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (available only on Netflix.)

For 93 days in 2013 and 2014, the Ukraine witnessed a revolution which started as a nonviolent protest by students against the autocratic behavior of President Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly thereafter it turned into a bloody, full-fledged revolution.

This movie, which is only available on Netflix, provides a gripping view from the streets, streets which look very modern, very westernized. Imagine a situation where your favorite sushi restaurant has been turned into an ad hoc aid station for injured protesters.

It's a cautionary tale containing a message of hope, especially for anyone who feels the slide of our society towards authoritarian rule. Important lessons:
  1. The protesters eschewed politics and politicians. They had few demands, but those demands were non negotiable: the removal of a President that was aligning the Ukraine with Russia without the consent of the people, and the return of free elections.
  2. Patriotism motivated people of diverse backgrounds to join the revolt. People of all political, ethnic and religious affiliations saw this opportunity to express their love for their country, fighting a current regime which did not represent the nation's interests. While protesters were brutally beaten by government security forces they sang the national anthem.
  3. Nonviolence was preferred but not mandatory. The authorities easily corrupted protesters' initial use of nonviolence through the use of agent provocateurs, and then they retaliated with their own increasingly-violent repressions.
  4. Protesters have to embrace their struggle and their willingness to sacrifice. The public is galvanized against the authorities once they see how far the authorities will go to smash people just like them.
  5. The revolution only works when cultural institutions are all-in. Students were amongst the first to join, and as usual religious leaders are amongst the last.
Ultimately Winter on Fire leaves us on a sad note, as the successful fight for Ukrainian self-rule was not sufficient in preventing further Russian interference in their affairs, as the bloody civil war there continues to prove.

For Ukrainians this is nothing new, and I hope they someday find the peace they deserve.

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