It’s almost as if many countries within Eastern Europe and Asia have generational trauma associated with acts of violence, oppression, and genocide connected to those symbols.
I’ve never understood the obsession with Soviet iconography within communist spaces, especially when there are plenty of communists that acknowledge that the Soviet Union never actually lived up to the ideals of communism, and acknowledge the acts of imperialism and genocide committed by their regime.
The swastika and other ancient symbols are banned for similar reasons in many countries for their association with fascists, and most people seem to be on board with it. But when countries that were directly harmed by communist regimes start to ban soviet iconography, there is suddenly a double standard and a lack of understanding.
I think modern communists who sincerely believe in social justice need to divorce themselves from these symbols of oppression. There are plenty of symbols of solidarity, unity, and workers empowerment that could be used that don’t have the same level of taint. I’m a fan of the big dipper myself.
All of that would require accepting that having communism as the end goal has caused death and oppression similar, if not worse then, the Nazis.
And they’ll never admit that. Because if they do, then they open the door for criticism of any current “communism” like China. And we’re not allowed to talk about the genocides that China is responsible for. If China’s flags were green and they used a tractor instead of a hammer and sickle then there would be anough cognitive dissonance to allow for criticism of past regimes while pretending that you’re not doing the same thing now. But it’s too late. That iconography is now representing China, so they must defend the sanctity of those icons. It’s a lot like religion. Or a cult.
the end goal has caused death and oppression similar, if not worse then, the Nazis
I have extremely strong opinions about this. As someone from a family who was hurt by both, it’s not even remotely comparable. The Nazis wanted my family executed. Communists wanted quiet compliance, with penalties for speaking truth to power. Those things are not remotely the same.
Communism here was not pleasant, fair or safe, but at least you had a set of rules to follow (shut up, go to your job, loudly endorse the official party position, report infractions) and you’d be relatively safe.
This is very different from a regime who explicitly wants to murder you.
