I feel like talking about Stalin is like walking on eggshells… You don’t want to go, “Stalin’s death toll is overexaggerated, in my opinion he didn’t kill enough people!!!” because that will make the average person instantly stop hearing you

What’s the best way to talk about Stalin in a sensitive way that doesn’t trigger a fight or flight response?

  • pleiades@lemmy.ml
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    2 months ago

    NGL I think this would just make people think you’re insane and shut down to whatever you’re saying/dismiss you, like flat earthers or conspiracy theorists

      • Maeve @lemmygrad.ml
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        2 months ago

        I don’t think that’s what was said.

        this would just make people think you’re insane and shut down to whatever you’re saying/dismiss you…

        • pleiades@lemmy.ml
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          2 months ago

          Yup, Second Thought was the one who finally made me move past SocDem, and he did it by introducing the basics in a neutral tone, not glazing Stalin/the USSR (even if the glaze might be justified)

    • Maeve @lemmygrad.ml
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      2 months ago

      NGL, that’s how it actually is, here and I’d about given up on my parent until our last verbal conversation, when I said something to the effect of, “I don’t give a damn about the immigrants, gays, trans, lazy, black people, or anyone else. They’re not the ones hurting us, it’s the gazillionaires, pedofiles, human traffickers and Wall Street that are hurting us, and everyone else I just mentioned.”

      They said, “Yep,” and I don’t know if it was to end the conversation on the subject or if they actually agreed, but it’s a start.

      Edit to clarify, the conversation was about the wild claims and blame put on the people I mentioned, not that I don’t give a damn about the actual people.

      • pleiades@lemmy.ml
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        2 months ago

        It’s something for sure. My parents grew up in the third world so they are aware of imperialism and economic exploitation, but they still tend to blame illegal immigrants and lazy people