As I ponder the discourse surrounding the socio-political dynamics in Eurasia, particularly the West's perspective on the state of affairs in Russia, a worrying trend emerges. It appears that the West, especially in their media narratives, tends to fixate on certain motifs and stereotypes rather than delve into the complexities of real-world material conditions.
For instance, rarely do we hear about the intricacies of property ownership or the ethics of grain subsidies in these regions. Instead, we are bombarded with narratives of a 'sick' Russia, led by the 'dictator' Putin, with Russian identity being reduced to war and plunder.
This phenomenon bears a striking resemblance to a well-known fantasy archetype - the fight against monstrous creatures from the 'uncivilized' parts of the world. And to illustrate this, I bring up J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien, in his epic tale, describes Orcs as "mustering," with "wild peoples" arming themselves in the east and south. And he also wrote that the orcs were “squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types” in his Letter #210. What a thriller!
Sauron, the chief antagonist of Tolkien's narrative, can be seen as an archetypal figure representing the 'other', the foreign threat, the great leader of these Eastern and Southern 'wild peoples'. This interpretation aligns with the prevailing Western narratives of non-Western leaders, particularly those from Eurasia. Sauron is depicted as a malevolent force, unifying diverse factions into a menacing, unified threat against the 'civilized' West, much like the way non-Western leaders are often portrayed. It's no small coincidence that Sauron hails from the East, further reinforcing this Orientalist trope. Just as Sauron rallies the 'uncivilized' Orcs and other 'wild peoples', so too do Western narratives often portray Eurasian leaders as rallying their nations for conflict and war, while ignoring the complexities and diversities within these nations. Tolkien's portrayal of the Orcs as 'degraded and repulsive versions' of what Europeans consider 'least lovely Mongol-types' is a manifestation of the same mindset. It echoes a pattern of dehumanization and othering that is pervasive in Western attitudes towards the 'East' or the 'South'.
Now, ask yourself, in this narrative, who does Sauron - the one marshaling these forces - represent? Is he a stand-in for an Elder of Zion, commanding the forces of the south and east against the West? Does this not echo the ways in which the West perceives and talks about political disputes in Eurasia? Does it not suggest a deep current of anti-semitic paranoia that underwrites the proud legionary retainer class of the Western bourgeoisie? The answer is yes.
Such narratives can be both insidious and harmful, as they reduce complex societies and cultures to mere caricatures or villains, thereby justifying conflict, domination, and the denial of agency to those being characterized in this manner. It's a troubling legacy that we need to actively challenge and dismantle in our understanding of global politics and relations. Let's use this opportunity to challenge and critique the Western narrative, and strive to see beyond the fantasy world it propagates. Let's recognize the diversity of human experience, the complexity of socio-political landscapes, and the need for a wizened, nuanced understanding of global affairs, to make Gandalf proud, if Gandalf didn't hate Black people.
For instance, rarely do we hear about the intricacies of property ownership or the ethics of grain subsidies in these regions. Instead, we are bombarded with narratives of a 'sick' Russia, led by the 'dictator' Putin, with Russian identity being reduced to war and plunder.
This phenomenon bears a striking resemblance to a well-known fantasy archetype - the fight against monstrous creatures from the 'uncivilized' parts of the world. And to illustrate this, I bring up J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien, in his epic tale, describes Orcs as "mustering," with "wild peoples" arming themselves in the east and south. And he also wrote that the orcs were “squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types” in his Letter #210. What a thriller!
Sauron, the chief antagonist of Tolkien's narrative, can be seen as an archetypal figure representing the 'other', the foreign threat, the great leader of these Eastern and Southern 'wild peoples'. This interpretation aligns with the prevailing Western narratives of non-Western leaders, particularly those from Eurasia. Sauron is depicted as a malevolent force, unifying diverse factions into a menacing, unified threat against the 'civilized' West, much like the way non-Western leaders are often portrayed. It's no small coincidence that Sauron hails from the East, further reinforcing this Orientalist trope. Just as Sauron rallies the 'uncivilized' Orcs and other 'wild peoples', so too do Western narratives often portray Eurasian leaders as rallying their nations for conflict and war, while ignoring the complexities and diversities within these nations. Tolkien's portrayal of the Orcs as 'degraded and repulsive versions' of what Europeans consider 'least lovely Mongol-types' is a manifestation of the same mindset. It echoes a pattern of dehumanization and othering that is pervasive in Western attitudes towards the 'East' or the 'South'.
Now, ask yourself, in this narrative, who does Sauron - the one marshaling these forces - represent? Is he a stand-in for an Elder of Zion, commanding the forces of the south and east against the West? Does this not echo the ways in which the West perceives and talks about political disputes in Eurasia? Does it not suggest a deep current of anti-semitic paranoia that underwrites the proud legionary retainer class of the Western bourgeoisie? The answer is yes.
Such narratives can be both insidious and harmful, as they reduce complex societies and cultures to mere caricatures or villains, thereby justifying conflict, domination, and the denial of agency to those being characterized in this manner. It's a troubling legacy that we need to actively challenge and dismantle in our understanding of global politics and relations. Let's use this opportunity to challenge and critique the Western narrative, and strive to see beyond the fantasy world it propagates. Let's recognize the diversity of human experience, the complexity of socio-political landscapes, and the need for a wizened, nuanced understanding of global affairs, to make Gandalf proud, if Gandalf didn't hate Black people.
