REPORT FROM MOSCOW #4 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BULLYING We are all confused about what queer/feminist actions the Russian government will punish, and what they are indifferent to or dont see. At first I thought it was OUTSIDE vs INSIDE (Protests = bad, small events in rooms = who cares?) This has also been called Public vs Private. But now I think this is the wrong track. The fascist personality exists everywhere, in every sector, ideology and self-concept. (And I use Wilhelm Reich to help me think this through. Especially his books THE MASS PSYCHOLOGY OF FASCISM, PEOPLE IN TROUBLE, etc.) There are people everywhere who are in negative groups. Their bond is through silencing conversations that need to happen in order for conflicts to be resolved. They dont want personal or social conflicts to be faced and dealt with because they would mean altering how they view themselves. And they dont have enough self to be able to tolerate that self being re-conceived. So they punish through shunning, violence, bullying, defaming, denouncing etc. They simply will not allow transformative communication. When queers or feminists in Russia live in a way that does not let fascist personalities remain unchanged, they get smashed. And when they live in a way that allows the fascist personalities to remain unchanged, they get left alone in their containers. Marcuse called this Repressive Tolerance. The particular boundaries change from society to society and clique to clique. These systems are designed to demean, control information and stop positive change, the kind of change that only comes from openness. When people are allowed to say what they are experiencing and perceiving, it creates an opportunity for everyone to reconcile at a more informed and equitable place. Because open communication is necessary for individuals, groups and societies to advance, those who cant bear to re-conceive will do everything they can to stop it. This is not yet as sum-up- able as private vs public but I think it covers more of the complexities.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 07:47:17 +0000
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