It is extremely concerning and offensive to find Walmart and other retailers promoting what they call “cool shirts“ — bright red tees emblazoned with the Soviet hammer and sickle, says Mari-Ann Kelam in this week’s Acton Commentary. “Making light of the atrocities committed under and in the name of communism shows ignorance and callousness.”
As an Estonian-American living in Europe, I am embarrassed and pained. It is impossible to explain such flippancy to people here, many of whom suffered under communism. People are beginning to think that it is true – Americans care only about making money. I have a hard time convincing them about the America and Americans I know and love, their values and principles, their bravery and willingness to help the downtrodden and oppressed.
The full text of the essay can be found here.