Summary: Yablonovskiy’s argument starts off with a background story about the writer’s family’s hardship in southern Ukraine. The family had to flee because of religious Persecution of Jews. Although the family hated communism, they wanted him to stay in touch with his background. Some of the cultural artifacts discussed are two television shows: Nu Pogodi and Krtek. Nu Pogodi is a cartoon similar to Tom and Jerry which shows the lives of Soviets. This show offered an escape from reality for people. The show was thought to be propaganda to spread communism. It shows the will and intellect of people who follow communist style governments. The show Krtek, watched in former Czechoslovakia, was used to teach children about clothing production. It also taught children simple morals.
Analysis: Yablonovskiy’s argument impacted me by showing me the hardships people faced after the Second World War and during it. Many people wanted to escape communism and come to America for the opportunities and freedoms. The claim that television shows were used as propaganda was strongly argued through the use of examples. I believe governments used television shows to spread propaganda and make their people want to stay in a communist controlled country. Life was brutal in a communist state including: school or work Monday- Saturday, brutal boot camps, and lots of pressure on their people. I believe the television shows mentioned were meant to bring comfort to the people in these types of areas and make them think the way their lives were controlled was normal.
Thanks for this thoughtful reading, Ellie. It’s a remarkable testament to the power of cultural artifacts like TV that a charming, silly show like Nu Pogodi could be so popular in a country that offered so few other opportunities for freedom or self-expression.