Thread: Edward Snowden and his stay in Russia

Originally Posted by Deborski

I will say that all the strong anti-American commentary in the forum sometimes makes me uncomfortable, even though I myself have contributed to it. The forum is about Russian language, true, but it is also about learning English. It would be nice to see an open cultural exchange where no one is made to feel intimidated or unwanted, and I agree that the trolling, snide comments and insults are tiring and immature.

Yeah, it would be great, but it takes "both sides" to agree. Meanwhile, there's a certain poster here with a very strong anti-American sentiment with no explainable background, and I'm not sure if that's treatable within reasonable time. =))

Originally Posted by Eric C.

Yeah, it would be great, but it takes "both sides" to agree. Meanwhile, there's a certain poster here with a very strong anti-American sentiment with no explainable background, and I'm not sure if that's treatable within reasonable time. =))

But arguing and name calling is not the "cure" if in fact there is one. I don't blame people for hating on America right now. I agree with many of Hanna's concerns. It was not only Hanna I was referring to, however. I've encountered very negative attitudes about America in the chat, too. To an extent, I think that's just how people feel and there is nothing I can do about it. But sometimes, it would be nice to see the people separated from their governments, instead of widespread blanket hatred which applies homogeneously to all Americans, regardless of their individual ethics or kindness.

I grew up surrounded by very hateful attitudes towards Russia and Russians, and I never could understand all of that hatred either. Even as a child, I knew that people living in Russia were just human beings like us, and had no control over what their government was doing. So when I see the same "everything America/Americans do is evil" I just shake my head and think "cold war, round two." I guess humanity will never learn.