Crash Course: How Russian colonialism took the Western anti-imperialist Left for a ride

Blindness to Russian colonialism distorts Westerners’ view of the Ukraine war [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ3J3ajJuZTduZS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3FXA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbDQzd3VuM3F2bC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). How Russian colonialism took the Western anti-imperialist Left for a ride [From Alaric DeArment](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNmRwZmdoY3o2Ni8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo):The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cast a long-overdue spotlight on Russian imperialism and colonialism, yet many Westerners fail to grapple with how Russia's colonial legacy continues to this day and is part and parcel to its war against Ukraine and descent into fascism. Consequently, many end up [whatabouting](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZDZ2aThiaGZxNC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3FXA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), [excusing](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMHV2MnF3cWs4Zi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3FXA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and even [overtly sympathizing](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYjNoajk4M205dS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3FXA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) with an empire whose colonial practices mirror those of historical Western European empires in cruelty, chauvinism, thievery, exploitation, cultural erasure, racism and genocide and that is now ruthlessly attempting to conquer one of its neighbors. (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) Dangerous visions: How the quest for utopia could lead to catastrophe The problem is that utopia has a menacing underbelly. First, its pursuit can cause profound harms to those who happen to be standing in the way. This is why utopian fantasies have fueled some of the worst atrocities in history: If the means are justified by the ends, and the ends are quite literally a utopian world of infinite or astronomical amounts of value, then what exactly is off the table when it comes to realizing those ends? [Read the rest from Émile P. Torres.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvazRjdm40dHF2bi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Keep Salon independent — [subscribe today](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNDhyaXU2MGxvYy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and unlock more benefits! Up Next ... - The secret "Barbie" message everyone can get behind is that [Allan is amazing](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ2NpMng1aDk4bS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). He is also like us - [Your next-door neighbor should be a park](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOGcydWs0c2hrYS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), not a smokestack - New to the kitchen? These are [the only pots and pans that you actually need](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaDR3eDF0ZzZzaS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - Judge throws out [Trump's lawsuit against CNN](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMWVuemEyM2VuYy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - After a dystopian "mandemic," the wacky ["Creamerie" pokes at the remaining "inequities among women"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYzJ5NDU1MmJ3OC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - [Unlocking the brain's spiral symphony](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbHNqZnBlbW42ZS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo): a new path to understanding brain activity - “Witnesses lie, recordings don’t”: [Ex-prosecutor pinpoints major problem for Trump in new indictment](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZmc3cjd4Y3FleC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Before you go ... Did I just become a citizen of a country that doesn't want me? I walked into the Texas heat carrying my little American flag. People looked at me as though I'd just won a prize. I didn't have the urge to hug strangers out of sheer joy, so part of me felt like a fraud. Another part of me, however, was proud —I'd moved through my fear to stand on this side. I did this thing that people have died for. I did this thing that gave me an extra coat of armor — for better or worse. [Read the rest from Lise Ragbir.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdzkydGRuaHd3ei8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPW1semN4Mm1sd3EmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZLbAQsZky5xIWlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Scott Olson/Getty Images) [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmS2wELGZMucSFpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2023 Crash Course, All rights reserved. 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801 [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmqMe9P0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgpktsBCxmTLnEhaUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)