language and mind

One happens to subscribe to those human rights newsletters, and one happens to be disappointed. The members of the Russian punk band “P*y Riot” got a jail sentence. I do not support the jail sentence. I’m disappointed with the comment by the Human Rights First.

I am quite used to the tabloid style for vociferation: the more copies sold, the better, never mind if the milk followed gravity spilling. The Human Rights First, however, “is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals”, says its mission statement.

Innokenty Grekov would write, “This is the latest example of how Russia uses laws that are meant to combat hate crimes—extremism, incitement, and hostility or hatred statutes—to prosecute artists, independent media, and LGBT and other civil society groups. This and other politically motivated cases need to be exposed for what they are — systematic attempts to silence dissent.” Mr. Grekov would refer to the Russian judicial proceedings, as “the sham trial of members of the feminist punk band”.

Well, these “feminists”, “artists”, and “dissenters” actually raided the main cathedral in Moscow wearing balaclavas. Balaclavas would be especially offensive in the context.

Could this have been really feminist? Recently, I browsed literally hundreds of pages over the Amazon looking for a suit with a long skirt. Men talking business — and this is for brains to do — still would look more natural. I could only find suits with pants.

The “feminists” would be wearing short dresses to kick their legs up high, maybe in the hope to encourage female equality reforming the can-can …

The “artists” would be shrieking along frenetic drumming, only more or less even meter. I cannot persuade myself to recommend a link; there should be something over the youtube.

The “dissenters” would be a communist’s dream on harassing believers: hardly an American ideal, thinking about missions and statements.

I wouldn’t jail the band members, however. I’d fine them for trespassing and assign obligatory courses on dress codes, history, and music.