Episode 40: Recognizing our Shared Humanity with Michael Iasilli

Russian history scholar and political scientist Michael Iasilli joins us to discuss, what else, the war in Ukraine. Besides giving us a fascinating tour through Russian and Ukrainian history, Iasilli also has a lot to say about avoiding xenophobia against Russians during this time. Naturally, your hosts and Michael got along swimmingly because we all agree that we have much more in common with the regular people in other countries than we do with our respective governments. Afterward, Joy and Sarah riff on the idea of finding common ground, living in a world of multiple truths, and discuss the latest infuriating developments in the Assange extradition case. Featured music is “Soul Creature,” “Staircase,” and “Scary Days” by Michael Anthonia FOLLOW MICHAEL’S WORK https://www.maiasilli.com/ MICHAEL’S MUSIC Instagram: Michaelanthonia_music Facebook: @realmichaelanthonia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/14D2f50WgDvuTLVEVzOAhk?si=X1iwTHp_TTWUiIWgOkp9gg FURTHER READING In reference to the data on Russian citizens’ displeasure with Putin’s war: see “FBK” (a sociological survey in Russia: https://navalny.com/p/6615/?fbclid=IwAR3h2PzC3w1X2or27-6WjXg_WgGNNwZg2OihGpfYm27otGwvaWskQFhmUik On racism in Ukraine refugee policy https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/black-ukraine-refugees-racism-discrimination-russian-invasion/ HISTORY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS The Affirmative Action Empire: Nations and Nationalism in the Soviet Union by Terry Martin Red Nations: The Nationalities Experience in and after the USSR by Jeremy Smith Russia in Flames by Laura Engelstein Red Famine: Stalin’s War in Ukraine by Anne Applebaum