"These killers have descendants": Oksana Zabuzhko on how to recognize "internal Russia" in Ukrainians who fake patriotism

Ukrainian publicist and writer Oksana Zabuzhko explained the problem of Russian-speaking Ukrainians and how to recognize their hypocritical nature. According to the public figure, such people should study their bloodline even if they demonstrate sincere patriotism on social media.

According to the publicist, most Russian-speaking people living in the territories that were dominated by Russia for a long time have a family trauma. Therefore, they need to work through it personally in order to understand the value of the Ukrainian nation. Oksana Zabuzhko spoke about this in an interview for @emma.hardtalk.

"I always say that a certain process of overcoming trauma must take place. Russified Ukrainians should not be confused with those who shout, 'Oh, you Banderite spawn, it's a shame we didn't finish you off'. These are murderers! These murderers have descendants. That is, we have our own 'internal Russia,' of course. This 'internal Russia' may be sitting quietly there. They can write anything and put 'Glory to Ukraine' on their avatars, but it is because they did not manage to leave in time, or they still expect to maintain their dominant status quo, which they have had for all 30 years. This 'internal Russian' will make itself heard, don't worry, and it is already making itself heard. Somewhere in there, somehow, every now and then, it makes itself seen," the publicist explains.

She noted that this trauma mostly occurred after Stalin's repressions and abuse of Ukrainians who resisted the dictatorial regime and assimilation. That is why, in Zabuzhko's opinion, it is necessary to personally research one's own family to find the reason that made descendants Russian-speaking.

"The overwhelming majority of our Russian-speaking citizens, especially in those regions that were Russified as a result of Stalin's purges, are the result of trauma, the result of something bad happening to our grandparents, or great-grandparents, or perhaps parents. Everyone has to realize this trauma personally, everyone has to go through this intergenerational trauma. And everyone has to remember when their grandmother was bullied at school for speaking 'kolkhoz (collective farm) language,' or when their grandfather was taken to Siberia and returned from there speaking Russian with a Siberian wife," the writer continued.

In particular, she noted that she tries to treat Russian-speaking people with understanding, and the only thing she does not accept in her information space is Russian songs.

"I react when Russian music is played. It doesn't happen very often, very rarely lately, but every time it does, I can't ignore it, regardless of whether it's in a taxi or in public transport. I switch to my Maidan voice and say. 'Please, put on your headphones. I don't have to listen to something that traumatizes me.' Everything is quiet, calm, everyone is polite, no one is offended. On the other hand, I try to be somewhat understanding. At least I don't feel any primitive agression towards Russian-speaking Ukrainians (and sometimes people do write this on social networks) like, 'You need to be bombed more to understand more'," the public figure admitted.

Earlier, it was reported that Oksana Zabuzhko shared her memories of a literary dinner in the Kremlin, to which she was invited in 2002. The cultural activist noted that the experience of being at such a "parade of unbridled tastelessness" helped her understand the true essence of the Moscow elite and their attitude to our country.

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