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EO: How do you evaluate the George Floyd protests? Do these actions lead to a positive permanent change in the country? Is there a possibility like that?
AV: George Floyd's death was the last drop, at least for many. The country has exploded. Or more precisely, many of those who were, for years and decades oppressed, left voiceless and humiliated, rose, and demonstrated their indignation. I strongly believe that the United States cannot be reformed, anymore. It is constructed on absolutely despicable foundations: the genocide of the native people, slavery, racial discrimination, and finally, on the imperialism and neo-colonialism.
On-going protests could draw attention to horrors through which non-white inhabitants of the USA have to live in the country which is calling itself, cynically, "bastion of freedom". But in reality, free only for a certain type of people.
As long as it exists in, the regime which is governing the country would never permit any fundamental or what you call 'positive' changes.
EO: Are protests just anti-racist or if they have anti-system dimensions? For the demands and participants, what is the nature of the protests? Does it have a class dimension?
AV: I believe that these protests are anti-racist, full stop. More precisely, in their essence they are anti-racist. But, some individuals and groups are also trying to address deep class divisions inside the United States.
Let's not forget that the entire Western system is endemically racist, so, 'anti-racist' is synonymous with 'anti-system'.
Surprisingly and encouragingly, many protesters are now demanding justice not only for their brothers and sisters but also for the people all over the world; those who have been brutalized and oppressed by Western rulers. This is something that you hardly hear from the US white middle class, which is still generally enjoying privileges of a 'colonialist master' and does not want any essential changes in the way our world is structured.
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