 |
| In Russia, wearing red takes on new meaning |
Between Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, red is the most popular color. However, a week ago, as more and more Russians posted photos of themselves on social media in various crimson clothes in support of the imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. A. Navalny's wife , Yulia Navalnaya, the color began to take on a completely different meaning. Red is known to be Navanaya's favorite color, and she wore a bright red top when her husband stood trial on February 2.
As of Monday, there were 13,300 related posts on Instagram, with women (and a handful of men) posting pictures of women (and a handful of men) in red dresses, parkas, turtlenecks — and just about anything else that could be used to support the cause — along with The hashtag #do not be sad all will be well, or "Don't be sad, everything will be alright," was reportedly what Navalny told his wife after serving more than two years in jail for parole violations.
After the yellow vests in France, the wall of yellow moms at last summer's social justice marches, the black-clad pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, the congresswomen in white at President Trump's 2019 State of the Union address , and the feminist marchers in pink cat hats , which once again demonstrates that visual statements in the age of social media have become a powerful and growing tool of protest.
In an age when photographs are increasingly a vehicle for global communication, this image of what has become essentially a giant united front is one of the fastest and most effective ways to demonstrate unity. Nothing says solidarity like a simple, vibrant color that can't be ignored.
Newsletter: Welcome to subscribe to the newsletter, including the "Overseas Chinese Notes" column every Thursday, to obtain major global news and understand hot topics in the American Chinese community.
The red campaign in support of Navalny was started by Katya Fedorova, a 38-year-old fashion journalist who has worked for Russian-language Vogue, Interview and other publications. Started a popular channel called "Good Morning, Karl!" on the Telegram messaging app.
"Since Alexei came back on the 19th, we have been following what happened," Fedorova said in a telephone interview from Moscow. She was referring to Navalny's return home after receiving medical treatment in Germany, whose poisoning, which Navalny and Western officials have called a government assassination, was the result. (It was the time Navalny was hospitalized in Berlin that prompted Russia to claim he had violated his parole.)
Despite knowing what would happen, Fedorova stated, "there was still hope in our hearts''. "So when this happened, I went from despair to anger and woke up the next morning knowing I had to do something."
She said that while she had considered participating in the protests, she said she feared "being beaten up or going to jail, but I've been following what's happening in America." She was particularly moved by the sight of standing together against President Trump. So, says Fedorova, "although I think fashion is a bit silly and I think people might disapprove of me, but I still think image is important."
While the color red has some complex connotations in Russian history, especially for the Communist regime, Fedorova said that for her, the meaning of red goes back to an earlier time, to Red Square (Red Square). Square) and a legacy of passion and beauty.
In addition, Fedorova said that she was deeply moved by Navanaya's presence during her husband's trial and her strong appearance. So, after dropping her daughter off at school, she came home, pulled an old ribbed red sweater out of her closet, and posted a post in solidarity.
At most, 50 people, according to Fedorova, will join me. Fedorova said. Instead, she has thousands of imitators. Many noted that while they had never thought of getting involved in politics or speaking out before, it gave them an opportunity to stand up for what they believed in.
One woman who posted a photo of herself wearing a burgundy polka dot shirt wrote: "I suggest anyone who is curious take a look in this hashtag. Politics are not at issue; rather, it is a matter of indifference and solidarity.
Another posted a selfie in a red hoodie and wrote: "I'm a coward, I was too scared to walk out on the streets of Moscow on the day of the protest. I'm not ashamed to admit it. If I'm okay with what's going on I would be ashamed to be indifferent. I am not indifferent. This post is in support of all brave and strong people."
A third, wearing a red plaid jacket , wrote: "Yes my blog is about fashion but I can't stand aside and be silent. It's not that I don't care. I've been watching with horror Everything. This photo in red is in support of @yuli_navalnaya and all those arrested and convicted for not being afraid to go out and express their beliefs."
The Navalnys' daughter Daria, known online as Dasha, thanked her by posting a family photo in a red dress.
Although the Red Movement has faced some backlash online, Fedorova said she has started accompanying her daughter to school with her boyfriend just in case, but said she has been encouraged by the response.
“Seeing all of us together, turning on my phone and seeing everything is red, that’s what it’s like,” she said. "It gave me some hope again."
0 Comments