[In Character] Q&A with Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura

[Sanghyeok]

@Kotera
Within the left, there is a often the issue of what is to be done regarding "identity politics." I'd like to hear your personal thoughts on this issue, while providing some of my own takes.

The primary force of history and politics is and always has been class struggle - a force which will only be eliminated when (and if) the Communist idea is actualised. Class struggle is an essential component of the economic base upon which all social formations, as a component of the cultural superstructure, is manifested, elaborated, perpetuated, transformed, emancipated, and destroyed. As such, the proper political response to questions of emancipation in terms of race, sexual identity, culture, ethnicity, and all other social formations encompassed by identity politics is the always also a direct response to class struggle.

This should not, however, blind us to the intersectionality of oppression. While partial liberation movements, such as black emancipation, sexual liberation, and feminist waves, have indeed achieved significant steps for their demographics, these have often affirmed their identity through struggle, rather than negated the alienating subject-object form. Through this, a scourge of victimisation of those oppressed by the current social structure has dominated the left-wing since the early 20th century.

Further, the goal of the intersectional should not be the emancipation of identities, but their abolition through negation. Work must be directed at minimising the divisions between all of humanity, while recognising that diversity is our strength. By tying one's total self to a single identitarian movement, one risks falling victim to dogmatic thought and enslaves their person to ideology; such defeats the purpose of liberation from alienation.

Sweet and sour are better together. Maybe. "My opinion on so called "identity politics' is that it is to some extent necessary in the leftist movement as a parallel force, which appears to differ from your conclusion. Allow me to explain. You mention various identity struggles. Those separate struggles, as you mentioned, allowed for partial liberation of certain groups. And yet, as you mentioned, this was only partial liberation. Your quote "By tying one's total self to a single identitarian movement, one risks falling victim to dogmatic thought and enslaves their person to ideology; such defeats the purpose of liberation from alienation" is certainly interesting, but I must argue that it can go both ways. To only view oneself through the lens of a coloured person or an LGBT person, for example, would be to ignore class struggle and therefore miss class struggle. However, I also wonder if we on the left have committed the same mistake. Are we missing something by only seeing ourselves through the lens of class struggle? I would say that indeed, the answer is yes. For too long we have focused on class struggle- and only class struggle, and even those who can see beyond class struggle still place it above all else. Class struggle is correct and our main objective of course- otherwise, we would not be leftists, after all. Yet only looking at class struggle by itself- and claiming this is the answer to all- is not quite correct. Identity is still an important, parallel struggle to class struggle, and we must therefore also view it as important. Class struggle (still as a main force) must be brought alongside identity struggle, and only by recognising the various concurrent struggles that may intersect with our struggle of class, can we solve the problem of dogma in both our leftist movement based on class struggle, and other movements based on identity struggle." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Linkers Sha]

We need somekind of materials that can withstand anti matter weaponry any materials

A dilemma "It would be difficult...our technology is perhaps not as advanced as to have materials able of deflecting antimatter. Perhaps, we can lend you some energy shields, but I do not know if they will work. It might be better to simply shoot down their projectiles." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Perhaps but its just one of our worries their forces number in the hundreds of million of battle robots and we dont know how we can possibly defeat them head on unless we retreat to the jungles and abandon the capital

[Sanghyeok]

Hmm... "Do you have nuclear weapons?" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Linkers Sha]

(Image) Hmm... "Do you have nuclear weapons?" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Well we have about 50.000 nuclear ICBM but they put some kind of anti-nuclear machine in our orbit so its basicly useless

[Sanghyeok]

Well we have about 50.000 nuclear ICBM but they put some kind of anti-nuclear machine in our orbit so its basicly useless

Hmm... "Can you detonate them without launching?" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Linkers Sha]

Well we have about 50.000 nuclear ICBM but they put some kind of anti-nuclear machine in our orbit so its basicly useless

Hmm... "Can you detonate them without launching?" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Well yes but they could terraform the nuclear detonation and we dont even know if the robots is EMP resistent or not

[Sanghyeok]

Well yes but they could terraform the nuclear detonation and we dont even know if the robots is EMP resistent or not

Hmm... "That is indeed difficult. We will send you shield-emitters then, and the blueprints for some railguns." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Linkers Sha]

Well yes but they could terraform the nuclear detonation and we dont even know if the robots is EMP resistent or not

Hmm... "That is indeed difficult. We will send you shield-emitters then, and the blueprints for some railguns." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

Thank you for the aid all help is appreciated

[Libertalonia]

"Libertalonia is known for her puddings, talonian pudding is the best type in Alterna, I'd like to send some to you to prove we've also got the best pudding the in multiverse!"
-Lilith

[New Goldman]

Dear Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura,

This is Paul Williams. I have no time to make this letter formal, but this is urgent. The National Assembly unanimously voted to cancel the embassy with your nation. It is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a known anti socialist, who proposed the cutting of relations. He claims that New Goldman should remain "loyal to its past" and "not make any sort of relations with any socialist or communist state." While our Emperor has the power to executively deny this as he himself agrees to the terms we have signed fairly recently, seemingly a fraction of the government turned against him and sided with Johnson. I'm writing you this letter because the Emperor and PM wishes to know your stance, and also wants to take note of how you "implement socialism" within the country. New Goldman is probably on the brink of a possible civil war internally if you do not reply.

We graciously await your response. New Goldman's future probably and most likely, now rests on your words.

From,
Paul Williams

[Sanghyeok]

Thank you for the aid all help is appreciated

Peace above all "However, despite our provision of supplies, we do not wish to escalate our presence the conflict. For those reasons, we wish that you reach a treaty of peace with your opponents as soon as possible while preserving the sovereignty of your nation." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Linkers Sha]

Thank you for the aid all help is appreciated

Peace above all "However, despite our provision of supplies, we do not wish to escalate our presence the conflict. For those reasons, we wish that you reach a treaty of peace with your opponents as soon as possible while preserving the sovereignty of your nation." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

We already suggested a creation of a peace treaty but they denied it they promise to "masacre the whole population" and "torture the goverment" so we retreated to NC and for a goverment in exile until we can have enough support or technology to reclaim mainland Linkers Sha

[Sanghyeok]

We already suggested a creation of a peace treaty but they denied it they promise to "masacre the whole population" and "torture the goverment" so we retreated to NC and for a goverment in exile until we can have enough support or technology to reclaim mainland Linkers Sha

Peace above all "Our nation is willing to serve as a third party in any negotiations for peace between your country and the aggressors." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

"Libertalonia is known for her puddings, talonian pudding is the best type in Alterna, I'd like to send some to you to prove we've also got the best pudding the in multiverse!"
-Lilith

Pudding!? "That does sound rather delicious. I heard you'll be coming to our Federation soon, right? I look forward to tasting some then!" -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

Dear Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura,

This is Paul Williams. I have no time to make this letter formal, but this is urgent. The National Assembly unanimously voted to cancel the embassy with your nation. It is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a known anti socialist, who proposed the cutting of relations. He claims that New Goldman should remain "loyal to its past" and "not make any sort of relations with any socialist or communist state." While our Emperor has the power to executively deny this as he himself agrees to the terms we have signed fairly recently, seemingly a fraction of the government turned against him and sided with Johnson. I'm writing you this letter because the Emperor and PM wishes to know your stance, and also wants to take note of how you "implement socialism" within the country. New Goldman is probably on the brink of a possible civil war internally if you do not reply.

We graciously await your response. New Goldman's future probably and most likely, now rests on your words.

From,
Paul Williams

Dialogue is important "Thank you for your letter. In regards to the Prime Minister, I imagine that their main opposition to our normalization of relations is their association of socialism with certain regimes that claimed to be socialist but were little more than state capitalists in disguise. Our nation's style of socialism is democratic, and ensures a great deal of civil rights and equality, as well as a high standard of living for our entire planet of 8 billion citizens- for it is the citizens' vote that matters in government, and worker's decisions that play a major role in our production. I hope this can allow your Prime Minister to be calmed somewhat, if he realizes that those with the anti-socialist stance are stuck in the old stereotypes that are nothing like our free, equal, peaceful and democratic socialist country." -Chairwoman of the Federation, Secretary General of the United Front, Supreme Leader of the People's Armed Forces Oomiya Sakura -社会主義連邦政府主席、統一戦線総書記、人民軍隊最高指導者 大宮 咲来

[Sanghyeok]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Those with a question for Chairwoman Oomiya during the Birthday Gala to be held on 8th of October can leave an inquiry here. It will be answered on that day.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Nation of Hanguk]

NOTE: This question is for the Chairwoman's Birthday Gala on the 8th of October.

What is the best way to negotiate with the rightists about our proposed reforms?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Moon Nam-jun
Representative of Jong-no Constituency, Seoul (Socialist Party of Corea)

[Sanghyeok]

NOTE: This question is for the Chairwoman's Birthday Gala on the 8th of October.

What is the best way to negotiate with the rightists about our proposed reforms?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Moon Nam-jun
Representative of Jong-no Constituency, Seoul (Socialist Party of Corea)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Your question has been received and will be answered by Chairwoman Oomiya during the Birthday Gala to be held on 8th of October.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[New Goldman]

NOTE: this is also a question for the Chairwoman on the 8th

We haven't said this to the Prime Minister yet, but we are interested in signing an alliance together. Although we don't match up in ideology, we thought that this can help to further strengthen relations between our 2 countries.

[Purpelia]

"It is interesting that you mention this, for many of the same arguments were made by some of those in my culture hundreds of years ago. However, this argument is once again incorrect. Familial affairs are generally not public affairs, this I can understand. However, the family, while special, should not be elevated to such a level above all else. You are wrong in claiming that family is the core of all, and is some sacred being- for families have issues that sometimes require an external intervention. I do not in any way believe that families should be immune from that intervention, if it should turn out to be necessary."

Families newer have any issues. They can not have any issues. At least not serious ones. If they did that would damage the reputation of the entire family and all of its members leading to them being looked down on and potentially loosing friends and social contacts that are essential to prosper in society. You can't prosper in life if your reputation is ruined and you have no friends and favors to call on after all. So no self respecting Purpelian family would ever allow it self to be caught having issues.

And yes, it is a constant effort and struggle to maintain perfection. It is not at all easy to be without any problems or disagreements at all in ones family. Let alone worse stuff like domestic abuse. But it is a struggle that must be done and won. Having laws such as yours that allow the state to penetrate the family and reveal all that which the family members have been working hard for years and decades to conceal would be devastating. It would literally make it impossible for our families to be the perfect trouble free families everyone thinks pretends knows they are. It would in no uncertain terms unravel the very structure of society.


Plus, the family can handle its affairs internally much better than the state ever could. For what better law is there than that of those that are unrestricted in how they can punish you? And what worse punishment can there be than to be shunned or harmed by those you care for most and those you depend on for your very place in life and society? It is this approach when combined with our obviously preferable view on reputation of both individuals and families that ensures most of the problems plaguing foreign societies and their families simply do not exist.

Take for example domestic abuse. This is a huge problem with foreign families. In Purpelia it is handled swiftly and decisively. Husband beats his wife? So what, just have her stab him to death in his sleep. Or have her brother or father beat him up until he stops. Or hell, have the family throw him out of their own thus rendering him nameless and despised by all society. Or anything more or less depending on what they feel is necessary to discipline the offender internally. Problem solved and with zero investment on part of society, zero cost, zero police effort, zero court fees and zero loss of face for the family or either spouse. Everyone wins. Even the guy who got punished wins because his punishment will be controlled and moderated by the family who on one hand wishes to discipline him but on the other does not wish the story to come out which it might if they do anything too drastic. Which beats a flat jail sentence, big court case and dishonor for everyone involved. Same thing for everything else. Just as long as you can keep it in the family and keep quiet about it these things have a habit of fixing them self. And that's all that matters.

OOC: This is fun.

[Rhim Flavezztowland]

From: Christine Bryant, Second Minister of Rhim Flavezztowland
To: Oomiya Sakura, Chairwoman of Sanghyeok

---

Dear Mrs. Oomiya,

I am writing this letter to you as one for you to answer on the 8th of October.

To be exact about what I'm writing to you, the Flavezztowlander Electoral Commission (FEC) plans to hold the next Flavezztowlander ministerial elections in December this year. Those elections will be the 13th in a chain of ministerial elections that've taken place every 5 years since 1960, the year of the founding of the modern-day Republic of Rhim Flavezztowland. The candidates for the next Flavezztowlander ministerial elections largely come from two major political parties: the Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), which supports democracy paired with social equality and small; and the Free National Community (FNC), which the FEC considers to be a far-left political party unlike the DSP, which is considered a center-left political party. Therefore, I'd like to know whether you prefer the DSP or the FNC when it comes to the two major political parties in my homeland of Rhim Flavezztowland.

I hope you can answer my question on your birthday, which is on the 8th of October.

Best wishes,
Mrs. Christine Bryant (née O'Connell)
Second Minister of Rhim Flavezztowland

[Sanghyeok]

NOTE: this is also a question for the Chairwoman on the 8th

We haven't said this to the Prime Minister yet, but we are interested in signing an alliance together. Although we don't match up in ideology, we thought that this can help to further strengthen relations between our 2 countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Your question has been received and will be answered by Chairwoman Oomiya during the Birthday Gala to be held on 8th of October.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Sanghyeok]

From: Christine Bryant, Second Minister of Rhim Flavezztowland
To: Oomiya Sakura, Chairwoman of Sanghyeok

---

Dear Mrs. Oomiya,

I am writing this letter to you as one for you to answer on the 8th of October.

To be exact about what I'm writing to you, the Flavezztowlander Electoral Commission (FEC) plans to hold the next Flavezztowlander ministerial elections in December this year. Those elections will be the 13th in a chain of ministerial elections that've taken place every 5 years since 1960, the year of the founding of the modern-day Republic of Rhim Flavezztowland. The candidates for the next Flavezztowlander ministerial elections largely come from two major political parties: the Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), which supports democracy paired with social equality and small; and the Free National Community (FNC), which the FEC considers to be a far-left political party unlike the DSP, which is considered a center-left political party. Therefore, I'd like to know whether you prefer the DSP or the FNC when it comes to the two major political parties in my homeland of Rhim Flavezztowland.

I hope you can answer my question on your birthday, which is on the 8th of October.



Best wishes,
Mrs. Christine Bryant (née O'Connell)
Second Minister of Rhim Flavezztowland

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Your question has been received and will be answered by Chairwoman Oomiya during the Birthday Gala to be held on 8th of October.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Sanghyeok]

"It is interesting that you mention this, for many of the same arguments were made by some of those in my culture hundreds of years ago. However, this argument is once again incorrect. Familial affairs are generally not public affairs, this I can understand. However, the family, while special, should not be elevated to such a level above all else. You are wrong in claiming that family is the core of all, and is some sacred being- for families have issues that sometimes require an external intervention. I do not in any way believe that families should be immune from that intervention, if it should turn out to be necessary."

Families newer have any issues. They can not have any issues. At least not serious ones. If they did that would damage the reputation of the entire family and all of its members leading to them being looked down on and potentially loosing friends and social contacts that are essential to prosper in society. You can't prosper in life if your reputation is ruined and you have no friends and favors to call on after all. So no self respecting Purpelian family would ever allow it self to be caught having issues.

And yes, it is a constant effort and struggle to maintain perfection. It is not at all easy to be without any problems or disagreements at all in ones family. Let alone worse stuff like domestic abuse. But it is a struggle that must be done and won. Having laws such as yours that allow the state to penetrate the family and reveal all that which the family members have been working hard for years and decades to conceal would be devastating. It would literally make it impossible for our families to be the perfect trouble free families everyone thinks pretends knows they are. It would in no uncertain terms unravel the very structure of society.


Plus, the family can handle its affairs internally much better than the state ever could. For what better law is there than that of those that are unrestricted in how they can punish you? And what worse punishment can there be than to be shunned or harmed by those you care for most and those you depend on for your very place in life and society? It is this approach when combined with our obviously preferable view on reputation of both individuals and families that ensures most of the problems plaguing foreign societies and their families simply do not exist.

Take for example domestic abuse. This is a huge problem with foreign families. In Purpelia it is handled swiftly and decisively. Husband beats his wife? So what, just have her stab him to death in his sleep. Or have her brother or father beat him up until he stops. Or hell, have the family throw him out of their own thus rendering him nameless and despised by all society. Or anything more or less depending on what they feel is necessary to discipline the offender internally. Problem solved and with zero investment on part of society, zero cost, zero police effort, zero court fees and zero loss of face for the family or either spouse. Everyone wins. Even the guy who got punished wins because his punishment will be controlled and moderated by the family who on one hand wishes to discipline him but on the other does not wish the story to come out which it might if they do anything too drastic. Which beats a flat jail sentence, big court case and dishonor for everyone involved. Same thing for everything else. Just as long as you can keep it in the family and keep quiet about it these things have a habit of fixing them self. And that's all that matters.

OOC: This is fun.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Socialist Federation of Sanghyeok
サンヒョク社会主義連邦外務省



Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Your question has been received and will be answered shortly.

Yours truly,
Sato Hitomi 佐藤ひとみ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Purpelia]

Out of character:

Since you are taking long to reply to me it occurs to me that people probably don't really know how to analyze Purpelia. As it is indeed an odd nation and a product of my creative madness some things might be difficult to parse so I'll add a bit of out of character clarification here.

In Purpelia reputation is basically a second currency. Everyone always works hard, plays hard and generally acts properly "Purpelian" in front of people when in public because if you don't that might harm your reputation. Now, people might compare that to a traditional honor system but that's not really correct. It's not really a honor system, more like a decent person system. As in, how good you adhere to the principals of what a good Purpelian should do. Because if there is one thing Purpelian culture dislikes it's people who buck the trend and act out in socially uncomfortable ways. Now, that is not to say people can't and don't act out. They absolutely do. But they do it in ways which are not seen as unacceptable for society. It's sort of like Japan where a 50 year old business man can dress up like a sexy underage girl and work in a maid cafe on his day off in public in broad daylight and nobody will bat an eye but if he shows up for work 5 minutes late he is in a world of hell. Only taken up to 11 because I like taking things up to 12 but the button broke.

Now, the things a good decent Purpelian should do are, among many other things are be respectfully of Purpelia, its government and culture, not engage in activism (as all activists are aggressive trend bucklers), work hard, play hard, have or at least support unrestricted sex with everything and of course have a perfectly harmonious family. Things a decent Purpelian should newer do is accept foreign religions (atheism is fine but don't convert to foreign gods), claim foreign culture or politics are superior to Purpelia, act out in unacceptable ways and above all meddle. Purpelians despise meddling with a fervor. If you want to insult a Purpelian, call him a meddler. Just be prepared to have your nose caved in.

The later in particular is very important because in many ways it informs the Purpelian culture of reputation. People aren't perfect, but when it comes to people they rely on like employers, landlords or useful contacts they will play the part in public even if it's obviously not true. And I mean obviously. Like, as long as you are not literally caught out in the act people will take your bad acting at face value. Because again, to not do so would be them piercing your private sphere and "meddling" in your affairs. And if everyone started meddling society would come crashing down.


To give you an example of what I mean by this imagine you were a middle manager in Purpelia and you had two employees. Both of them are good hard workers with no issues at work and they both have good families. One of them has a really clumsy spouse that keeps tripping, running into door knobs and generally getting hurt all the time. The other does not have such issues HOWEVER you caught him once arguing with his wife over the phone over some triviality and he was SHOUTING. When the time comes to hand out promotions who are you going to pick?

Well in Purpelia you pick the wifebeater. Yes, you know very well what's actually happening in that household. You aren't that stupid to be unable to put 1 and 1 together. But because his whole family seems to be in agreement about keeping it quiet and pretending it's not happening you deliberately refuse to make that conclusion your self and instead go along with the charade. If you didn't do that, if you instead did choose to make that conclusion that would be a big breach of what is culturally acceptable. You would be "meddling". And the reason this is so is frankly because if everyone started "meddling" than everyone's badly hidden dirty secrets would come out and the whole reputation system and society would collapse in on it self because frankly everyone has a lot of bad things to hide as the inevitable consequence of living in a neurotic society with constant pressure to be perfect on the outside.

That other guy however is another story. As a decent human being you have to punish those that abuse their family members. It's what anyone normal would do. And he let it be revealed, IN PUBLIC, that he shouts at his family members and argues with them as opposed to having the properly Purpelian perfect family. Put simply, the fool let his mask slip and allowed him self to be caught out in public thus he is fair game.

So you cover your own behind by going along with things and everyone does that and society keeps ticking. You reward the wifebeater whose family is making an effort to conceal things and punish the harmless idiot who let him self be caught out. And society keeps chugging along pretending that the perfect harmonious family has been rewarded and that the evil Unpurpelian disharmonious one was punished for their misdeeds.