Ukraine / The Ukraine

[Ben Phillips]

Stas,

As others have pointed out, this is not a conversation about political
oppression per se, it is a conversation about language and postcoloniality.
Of course, the historical specifics of the Russo-Soviet situation (if I can
call it that) mean that it is very difficult to speak of Russians as
colonisers and Ukrainians, Belorussians and others as colonised subjects -
ethnic Russians are in many ways a (post)colonial people themselves, as I
have been fortunate to discuss many times with you in person. But that is a
separate topic. Referring to Ukraine rather than 'the Ukraine' is not about
political correctness, nor is it about political control of language. It is
a question of recognising agency and historical injustice.

Without particularly wishing to get involved, I agree that Jules Levin's
earlier comments - in respect of Jennifer Wilson as well as 'lefty
academics' - are disrespectful and rude. I also agree perforce with Eliot
Borenstein that this list really needs better moderation.

Ben Phillips
UCL SSEES
16 Taviton Street
London
United Kingdom
WC1H 0BW
020 7679 8700
b.phillips.12 at ucl.ac.uk

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