Russian Government
Against
Equal Rights
Fighting back
Russian Outcry
Russian Government
About the Leader:
^Standing up to conflicting belief systems via IAAF World Championships (Moscow)
-Equality protests
-Threats of boycotting Olympic Games
-Deportations and arrests numerous
^using arts as a social change via Russian band Pussy Riot
Why the Tension?
-President: Putin
-"Cools Hotheads"
-Nominated for Peace Prize
Whats making people CARE?
The song to the left:
-advocates against Putin
-written before the Anti-gay law
-Putin very authoritative
-Believes in USSR ways
-Has been anti-American
-Rumors of inequality and corruption
-The Olympics
-Gays, Bisexuals, etc. can't play
-considered propaganda/ against law
-American Olympist Bode Miller calls law "ignorant"
-band members arrested for
supporting equality
-an "agitator for equal rights"
-brought briefly into global limelight with signing of the anti-gay bill (small-scale)
About the Country:
Why should we Care?
-Federal republic
-Claims to be getting better
As it is displayed and talked about in this presentation, it is of the utmost importance for Americans to learn about what is occurring in places like Russia, where inequality threatens and ruins people's way of living. While not all Americans or even certain states in the United States government accept the sexual aspects of human rights (e.g. gay marriage), teaching students about inequality and social problems that happen at present-day on a global scale can not only increase public awareness, but also challenge others to take a stand, and support what they feel is right. So many people in the American society aren't aware or fully educated on what happens outside our country. Fewer more realize how we can use other countries as an example to learn from. By encouraging social improvement, we can teach American students to be accepting, well-informed, and curious about pressing issues outside Americanized pop culture. If the U.S.A. is really about promoting "inalienable rights" and "justice for all," then the first step is to teach about inequality in society--such as the abominations occurring in Russia. The second step is to apply this knowledge to one's views. The third step is to take action. If Americans stay uneducated about outside issues, they can't apply their knowledge, or make a difference in society.
June 30, 2013
Social change and beliefs surrounding equality often conflicts with legal codes in a given society, but it doesn't mean people just sit there without using creative means to stop tyranny. From the peaceful protests against the anti-gay laws still holding ground during the Olympics, to a Russian punk band using their music to take a stand, people will always find a way to advocate against what they feel is wrong. When Vladimir Putin signed a vaguely worded bill against the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" that didn't have a single vote in Parliament against it, Russian citizens didn't just accept it. Today, people are still protesting. Russians are being arrested, fined, and those how aren't "original citizens" even face deportation. The feminist-punk band "Pussy Riot" was arrested for taking a stand. Although they were found guilty in 2012, their art remained out in the international public, and was used as an example of other variations of Russian inequality that built up to the anti-gay law. Athletes such as Tatyana Firova and Kseniya Ryzhova protested against anti-gay laws by kissing after winning the 4 x 400 meter relay during an important championship held in Moscow on August 17, 2013. American singer and actress Cher turned down the opportunity to perform at the Russian Olympics as a response to the new Russian anti-gay laws, sparking some more international publicity for the Russian equality cause. Others who didn't have artistic or athletic talent and societal influence used small scale art and protest to convey their point. Russians invest in peaceful protest, coming together to show of iconic signs and memorable slogans. Inside and outside of the country, people have seen protests and artistic rebellion and decided to join in. Some even go as far as to boycott the Olympics for their cause. People advocate for their beliefs in hopes of a fair equilibrium, even if doing so means challenging governmental laws.
Reactions
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/08/01/exp-erin-dnt-lah-olympians-react-to-russia-anti-gay-laws.cnn.html
-Extremely unpopular
-But not made very internationally public
-Russia--> anti-equality past
Anti-gay law passed
-USA--> knows about it but little press
-Acknowledging gays exist=illegal
- "Offends religious"
-Fines, deportation, arrest.
Sources:
Sidenote: July 3, 2013 --> illegal for Russian or international gay couples to adopt Russian orphans
Tonight Show:
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/president-obama-on-russias-anti-gay-laws/n39715
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Gretopov, Kes. "Russian Anti-gay Law in Plain English." PolicyMic. Policy Mic, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.policymic.com/articles/58649/russia-s-anti-gay-law-spelled-out-in-plain-english>.
Heritage, Timothy, and Maria Tsvetkova. "Russia's Female Punk Band Protesters Jailed for Two Years." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 17 Mar. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/17/us-russia-pussyriot-
idUSBRE87F1E520120817>.
Hodzic, Almir. "Russian Anti-Gay Bill: A Short History." PolicyMic. Policy Mic, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.policymic.com/articles/58867/russian-anti-gay-bill-a-short-history>.
Keating, Steve. "Bode Miller Says Russian Anti-gay Law 'ignorant'" Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 30 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-olympics-sochi-miller-idUSBRE98T1AN20130930>.
Lokshina, Tanya, and The Opinions Expressed in This Commentary Are Solely Those of Tanya Lokshina. "Anti-gay Law Shames Putin's Russia." CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://
www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/opinion/lokshina-russia-gay-persecution/index.html>.
Luhn, Alec. "Russian Anti-gay Law Prompts Rise in Homophobic Violence." The Guardian. TheGuardian, 1 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/russia-rise-homophobic-violence>.
Nellas, Demetris. "Peaceful Protest Precedes Olympic Flame Handover in Athens." CTVNews. Associated Press, 5 Oct. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/peaceful-protest-precedes-olympic-flame-handover-
in-athens-1.1484788>.
P, A. "Russian Anti-gay Bill Passes, Protesters Detained." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 11 June 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57588738/russian-anti-gay-bill-passes-protesters-detained/>.
Politi, Daniel. "Russian Athletes Kiss to Protest Anti-Gay Law." Slate Magazine. Slate Magazine, 18 Aug. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/08/18/
kseniya_ryzhova_and_tatyana_firova_russian_athletes_kiss_on_winners_podium.html>.
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Sanchez, Rebecca Lee. "International Olympic Committee Warns Russia after Anti-gay Law." GlobalPost. Global Post, 18 July 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. <http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/ioc-warns-
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