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    Scott Ritter: The Red Scare 2.0: Russophobia in America Today Archived Message

    Posted by sashimi on March 1, 2023, 3:54 am

    28 February 2023

    (quote)
    I have been wrestling with the issue of Russophobia in the United States for
    some time now. As someone who cut his academic teeth studying Russian history in
    college, and who, at an early stage in my development as an adult had the
    opportunity to live and work in Russia during the Soviet era, I have a deep, yet
    admittedly incomplete, appreciation for Russian culture, language and
    history. This appreciation has empowered me to make informed judgments about
    Russia, its political leadership, and its people, especially when assessing the
    interactions between Russia and the United States today.

    Void of this background, I would expect that I would be susceptible to the
    Russophobia emanating from the US government and echoed without question by a
    compliant mainstream American media. With it, I am able to see through the
    falsehoods and mischaracterizations that appear deliberately designed to warp
    the sensibilities and logic of Russophobia's intended audience - the American
    people.

    Recently, I ran across an essay that had been published by the Ambassador of
    Russia to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, in the Russian newspaper,
    Rossiyaskaya Gazeta, and subsequently posted on the Russian Embassy Facebook
    page. The title of the essay, Russophobia as a malignant tumor in the United
    States, is, admittedly, provocative - as all good, thought-provoking titles
    should be. After reading it, it became apparent to me that, in the interest of
    combating Russophobia, I should help bring the Ambassador's essay to the
    attention of as many people as possible.

    "Russia," the essay opens, "has always venerated and respected the rich cultural
    traditions of all countries. This is the core of our national identity,
    mentality, and statehood. Culture must always remain the bridge for
    strengthening trust between the peoples, however complicated the relations
    between the states may be."
    Previous Message

    There was no "cancellation of culture" even during the Cold War. A lesser-known
    fact is that the first Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958 was won by
    Van Cliburn, an outstanding pianist and U.S. national. His sensational
    performance in Moscow at the height of the Cold War helped break down barriers
    and gave hope for finding mutual understanding based on love for classical music


    The story of how Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn, a tall, curly-haired Texan pianist,
    conquered Moscow is legendary. By 1958, US-Soviet relations were tense, impacted
    as they were by the politics of the Cold War. To promote a thawing in relations,
    the Soviets and Americans proposed a series of cultural exchanges. The Soviets,
    for their part, convened the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition,
    named after the famous Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

    Tchaikovsky is perhaps best known in the United States for his rousing 1812
    Overture, the melodic Nutcracker Suite, once a Christmas staple, and the
    unforgettable Swan Lake ballet. The premise of the competition was to invite 50
    musicians from 19 countries to compete in an international competition designed
    to highlight Soviet accomplishment in the arts. A distinguished jury, headed by
    Dmitri Shostakovich, a legendary composer in his own right, was convened to
    judge the competition.

    Cliburn was one of several Americans invited to compete. His rendition of
    Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto, considered one of Tchaikovsky's most popular
    compositions and, as such, familiar to all, leaving little room for error or
    misinterpretation, brought the crowd to its feet. Olga Kern, one of Russia's
    finest classical pianists, said of the performance, "Van Cliburn won because he
    played in a grand way. Soaring. It was beautiful; the piano was singing. It
    sounded so new and fresh. It was incredible."

    Popular legend has it that Shostakovich was uncertain whether he could award
    first prize to an American. When the famed Soviet composer approached Nikita
    Khrushchev for advice, the Soviet leader asked, "Is he the best?" Shostakovich
    replied yes to which Khruschev announced, "Then give him the prize!"

    Van Cliburn returned to America a hero and was given a ticker-tape parade down
    New York City's Avenue of Heroes, the only musician ever to be so honored. Time
    Magazine put him on its cover, with the headline, "The Texan Who Conquered
    Russia."

    Six months prior to Van Cliburn's achievement, the Soviets had put the world's
    first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit, an act that left many Americans feeling
    vulnerable and uncertain. The country still reeled from the Red Scare politics
    of Senator Joe McCarthy, whose admonition that "you cannot offer friendship to
    tyrants and murderers... without advancing the cause of tyranny and murder"
    continued to resonate in certain circles even after his death in 1957.

    Van Cliburn's performance did, in fact, help "break down barriers" and give
    "hope for finding mutual understanding." There's no lie in the essay penned by
    the Russian diplomat.
    (/quote)
    -- Cont'd at https://www.scottritterextra.com/p/the-red-scare-20-russophobia-in-america

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