Your direct involvement with this topic makes it all the more powerful as a narrative. As narrative, it is well-constructed and informative. While you don’t explicitly address this issue, the parallels to some current trends in the US are discomforting, at least to me. It’s a fairly simple matter to recognize the attempt to control cultural stories–and therefore the population–through propaganda when we are outsiders looking in, but far more complicated to recognize when you are in the position of being controlled. The clear message of such propaganda always includes an “us vs them” theme, stereotyping and stigmatizing the “others” to create a sense of loyalty–usually out of fear–to the entities controlling the propaganda machine. This comes through very clearly in your Storify narrative.
There are two elements here that I feel would benefit from some additional attention on your part. First, you’re missing a conclusion or a tie-in to the process of cultural storytelling. You’ve presented us with many clear and powerful examples, but you haven’t reflected on how this relates to storytelling in the larger context. The second element is closely related, and it underscores the need for some reflection here. Your final sentence is powerful and thought provoking–the idea that you still have a visceral response to a symbol that was ingrained into your consciousness through a clearly intentional attempt to control your thoughts and loyalties. I understand your notion that it’s a Pavlovian (appropriately enough) response, but I’m not sure I understand why this evokes a sense of pride. It could just as easily evoke a sense of revulsion or fear or helplessness, among other reactions. Why pride? How did the propaganda process work on you? What does that imply for cultural storytelling as a means to pass along cultural values, or to directly influence thinking? It’s a fascinating notion that you’ve breached.
Your direct involvement with this topic makes it all the more powerful as a narrative. As narrative, it is well-constructed and informative. While you don’t explicitly address this issue, the parallels to some current trends in the US are discomforting, at least to me. It’s a fairly simple matter to recognize the attempt to control cultural stories–and therefore the population–through propaganda when we are outsiders looking in, but far more complicated to recognize when you are in the position of being controlled. The clear message of such propaganda always includes an “us vs them” theme, stereotyping and stigmatizing the “others” to create a sense of loyalty–usually out of fear–to the entities controlling the propaganda machine. This comes through very clearly in your Storify narrative.
There are two elements here that I feel would benefit from some additional attention on your part. First, you’re missing a conclusion or a tie-in to the process of cultural storytelling. You’ve presented us with many clear and powerful examples, but you haven’t reflected on how this relates to storytelling in the larger context. The second element is closely related, and it underscores the need for some reflection here. Your final sentence is powerful and thought provoking–the idea that you still have a visceral response to a symbol that was ingrained into your consciousness through a clearly intentional attempt to control your thoughts and loyalties. I understand your notion that it’s a Pavlovian (appropriately enough) response, but I’m not sure I understand why this evokes a sense of pride. It could just as easily evoke a sense of revulsion or fear or helplessness, among other reactions. Why pride? How did the propaganda process work on you? What does that imply for cultural storytelling as a means to pass along cultural values, or to directly influence thinking? It’s a fascinating notion that you’ve breached.
Thanks, Tatiana. Your changes are much appreciated and your narrative is much improved. Very powerful story.