Tõnu Naelapea
I am concerned about how the mainstream media back home keeps portraying Estonians abroad, especially those of us born here. A case in point is the recent coverage of the Estonian elections, held on March 3rd. ERR, Estonian Public Broadcasting posted an article online under the title of “Almost half of votes cast by diaspora Estonians go to EKRE.” (Reprinted in Estonian Life #10, March 8)
ERR News editor Aili Vahtla, (born Sarapik in Baltimore into an active and involved Estonian family), rightfully points out that the community abroad tends to be conservative. She makes some valid points about EKRE’s appeal to us here – but what about in Estonia, where the party gained a lot of support? Ms Vahtla unfortunately perpetuates an image of us that simply is not true. She is quoted as saying that the diaspora is not “actually informed enough about Estonian politics to understand what is behind it all. This is particularly sad to see.”
No, Ms Vahtla, what is sad is your assumption, and it borders on the offensive. Having recently been in Tallinn, talking politics, that similar approach was expressed – simply because I live in Toronto. Well, hello! There is such a thing called the internet, where one can glean plenty of information. Visits, Skype calls with friends and relatives mean that while not in Tallinn we are as close to Estonian politics as is possible. The very political refugee Estonian community, in North America especially, continually informed politicians about the Soviet occupation, keeping Estonia in the public eye. Very much a part of the process of ensuring the peaceful regaining of independence.
And then there is the disambiguation concerning EKRE, the Estonian National Conservative Party. Their fundamental patriotic values (Eesti eest – for Estonia) are skewed in Estonia in the mainstream media. While in Tallinn in February I was startled to read a lengthy article implying that most members of EKRE carry some odious past. Members, not candidates mind you, but when people are accused of being a pedophile, noting criminal records – this is all for blurring the image of a party that is concerned about Estonia’s population being diluted through the European Union’s refugee policies, of laws being passed that give preference to others. Focusing on issues that will ensure our cultural and linguistic survival.
I wrote in Estonian while there about how startled I was to see so many non-Estonian people at the market, on the street, in church. Remember, there are not that many of us. Canada, as a genuinely multicultural, tolerant society with a large population can allow this. Estonia, with her history of centuries of oppression, foreign rule, and occupation simply must have safeguards. I believe that is why voters here gave EKRE such support.
The irony here is that 30-year-old Aili Vahtla herself spent her formative years – the first two decades plus – as a member of the diaspora. During the last two years of occupation she was learning to walk. The first, trying years of regained independence learning to talk, form sentences, express herself. Certainly unaware of the efforts of the diaspora to support our beloved Estonia. The Isamaa party and the Mart Laar governments benefited from advice from abroad. Isamaa, later Isamaaliit was, of course, the most patriotic party around.
That role has now been taken over by EKRE. Isamaa, while having some stellar politicians (Urmas Reinsalu) is a shadow of its former self. In fact, of the five parties that gained representation in the Riigikogu only two, perhaps three would have been given consideration by the diaspora. Hence, EKRE support is no surprise.
Aili Vahtla is to be commended for moving to Estonia, embracing her heritage. Yet disseminating a picture that is not true does not serve our unity, global community well. Especially when expressed in English for the uninformed. Aili Vahtla’s comments do not reflect reality, reflecting perhaps her naïveté or the extent to which she has fallen victim to the often biased mainstream media in Estonia. In either case bordering on irresponsible journalism.
Perpetuating false assumptions (5)
Viimased kommentaarid
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
The foreign press often locates EKRE at the radical right end of the political spectrum, although close inspection reveals its moderately conservative, nationalistic platform.
The re-independence of Estonia as a nation state, in 1991, in effect called for the re-establishment of Estonian as its official language -- this, after decades of Soviet Russification.
Estonia today is 'de facto' bilingual, alas, as de-Sovietization and de-Russification is proving to be a slow process. Russian students graduating from school in Tallinn generally don't speak Estonian because, as one told me (in very good English), "we don't need it."
Worse still, are the Soviet attitudes persisting among Russians born and mis-educated in re-independent Estonia. Typically, they believe that the Soviets brought liberty and prosperity to Estonia, that only a few war criminals were deported to Siberia, that our re-independence is unjust, only temporary, that Russian is a language of international importance, and other such nonsense.
Without regard to the degree to which they're informed, the voting-patterns of Estonians abroad are inconsequential, simply because there aren't enough of them to influence a result.
EKRE stands for the re-establishment of a de-Russified, de-Sovietized normal nation state -- a slow and painful work still in progress that's currently exacerbated by pressure from the EU for "multi-culturalism": accepting unassimilable Moslem immigration.
EKRE is right to stand against national suicide.
The re-independence of Estonia as a nation state, in 1991, in effect called for the re-establishment of Estonian as its official language -- this, after decades of Soviet Russification.
Estonia today is 'de facto' bilingual, alas, as de-Sovietization and de-Russification is proving to be a slow process. Russian students graduating from school in Tallinn generally don't speak Estonian because, as one told me (in very good English), "we don't need it."
Worse still, are the Soviet attitudes persisting among Russians born and mis-educated in re-independent Estonia. Typically, they believe that the Soviets brought liberty and prosperity to Estonia, that only a few war criminals were deported to Siberia, that our re-independence is unjust, only temporary, that Russian is a language of international importance, and other such nonsense.
Without regard to the degree to which they're informed, the voting-patterns of Estonians abroad are inconsequential, simply because there aren't enough of them to influence a result.
EKRE stands for the re-establishment of a de-Russified, de-Sovietized normal nation state -- a slow and painful work still in progress that's currently exacerbated by pressure from the EU for "multi-culturalism": accepting unassimilable Moslem immigration.
EKRE is right to stand against national suicide.
Mart Helme:
Kui meie asi untsu aetakse, meie viskame tiku püssirohutünni. Ükski süvariik ega Euroopa Komisjon ei hoia ära, see plahvatus tuleb!"
Mis inimene see on kes niimodi oma rahvast "plahvatusega" ähvardab? Riigimehelik käitumine see kohe kindiasti ei ole. Mina kardan EKRE äärmuslasi, eriti mõisnik Helme't ja olen pettunud et viimasel ajal on nii palju EKRE't ülistavaid artikleid siin avaldatud.
Kui meie asi untsu aetakse, meie viskame tiku püssirohutünni. Ükski süvariik ega Euroopa Komisjon ei hoia ära, see plahvatus tuleb!"
Mis inimene see on kes niimodi oma rahvast "plahvatusega" ähvardab? Riigimehelik käitumine see kohe kindiasti ei ole. Mina kardan EKRE äärmuslasi, eriti mõisnik Helme't ja olen pettunud et viimasel ajal on nii palju EKRE't ülistavaid artikleid siin avaldatud.
Arvamus
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