New Freedoms in the USSR

Posted by Kerry Kubilius May 21, 2006

You and I take freedom of speech for granted. The United States is practically fueled by criticism of the government. If we didn't express our displeasure, mistrust, disappointment, or disapproval in the President's bumbling attempts to lead, we wouldn't know what to do. We'd be . . . well, we'd be like the Soviets before glasnost!

Glasnost was considered a radical new concept in a regime that had strict censors in place and little mercy for the outspoken. It not only allowed debate--it encouraged it. Artists were now permitted to paint what they liked and the media was able to participate in real investigative journalism (take that, Communism, with your rampant alcoholism, domestic abuse, hunger, poverty, and stagnant economy!). People were, finally, given the opportunities to do what we do every day.

When abuses of power take away basic freedoms, something has to give. I dare say the Communists were experts at domestic spying, cultural homogenization, closed borders, and propaganda. Let's think about what that means for our own countries. Let's make sure glasnost isn't ushered in as a "new" concept to us someday.