Denaturalisation of Collective Identities Within Pro-Euromaidan Discourse (On Field of Facebook Representation)

Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook Representation)

Iuliia Soroka V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

Abstract: The spreading violence beyond Euromaidan space in Kyiv have become one of the main issues of Ukrainian society in winter 2013–2014. For Euromaidan supporters their relatively safe space of every-day interaction came under pressure of discourse which divided the whole world into “friends and enemies”. The naturalisation of collective identities of Euromaidan supporters and their opponents served the purpose of symbolic struggle and provided the simplified social worldview. The last one is, on the one hand, a useful tool of social mobilisation but, on the other hand, this kind of worldview (simplified, “Black and white”) pro- vokes violence. The topic of this article is a denaturalisation as an opposite strategy which creates the complicated worldview. The research issues of this article are the following: does denaturalisation exist within pro-Euromaidan discourse; in what kind of discursive strategies and modes does it appear? Online social networks, Facebook in particular, were chosen as a field of study. The research method is traditional analysis of text. The implication of this research is revealing of internal dynamic of pro-Euromaidan discourse.

Keywords: denaturalisation, Euromaidan, pro-Euromaidan discourse, symbolic struggle, nominations, online social networks, internal dynamic of pro-Euromaidan discourse. Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 45

Introduction sector, colorady4, etc. are the examples of natu- OSNs in discursive dimension is reduced to In other words, we need to use the ap- ralised group (and collective identities) nomi- the circulation of solidarity-building materi- proach which gives ability to interpret rapid Among many questions of the current situa- nations. These group nominations usually fall als and means for sharing interpretation of changes in peoples’ behavior, caused not tion in Ukraine let me focus on the following into two binary oppositions, i.e. people–power actions frame, actors, identities (Dickinson, by dynamics of material condition of their one: why did peaceful protest on Euromaidan and Ukrainian–Russian. Naturalisation helps 2014). I propose to study Facebook in the life, but by the shifts in common meanings. turn into violence (Onuch & Martsenyuk, to legitimise violence, to spread it beyond the context of internal dynamics within the pro- Cultural-symbolic space attracted my atten- 2014; Kulyk, 2014)? This question is mostly immediate place of conflict and to destroy the Euromaidan discourse and as a space of de- tion, because not only it mediates meanings answered from either ideological or psycho- relatively safe space of every-day interaction. ployment of power relationship in the protests and actions, but is also a place of construction logical perspective: some groups or catego- Denaturalisation (Batler, 1990) is an opposite movement. of meanings, creation and reinterpretation ries of people are recognised as aggressive, process which returns complexity to social of symbols, which “lead to” action. Symbolic warlike or dangerous (in case of Euromaidan world and safe space of every-day interaction. Conceptual frame of research space is also a place of struggle between these are “berkut”1 and “Pravyi sector”2 for It is important to emphasize that denaturalisa- The situation in Ukraine in fall 2013 was char- different competing modes of interpretation instance). Another common explanation ap- tion is becoming a part of the pro-Euromaidan acterised by rapid growth of social confronta- of reality (see. symbolic struggle – Bourdieu, peals to geopolitics or money. According to discourse, helping to develop and reinforce tion, aggression and hostility not only in the 1989) and distinct discourses. According to sociological view, action (and violence as such) the correspondent values and ideas. space of Euromaidan in Kyiv and other cities, poststructuralist methodology, used in this is influenced by networks of meanings and Naturalisation as communicative strategy but also in online space and social media. research, changeability of symbolic space is is supported by cultural symbols. Therefore claims to be dominant in public representa- These processes have become a challenge for correlated to a struggle for domination within I propose to study the processes in Ukrainian tion, in pro-Euromaidan discourse in particular. social science, which tried to use concepts of society, and the concept of discursive power symbolic space, i.e. naturalisation and denatu- Denaturalisation can be considered as a kind manipulation, informational war, hate speech, (or power of discourse, knowledge/power ralisation, which influenced the escalation of of resistant against naturalisation. The naturali- xenophobia, etc., for their interpretation. All (Foucault, 1980) is crucial for it. violence. sation–denaturalisation interaction produces of these concepts have their traditions and As we know, functionalists and structuralists Researchers of Euromaidan symbolic space a specific context of symbolic struggle and advantages, but they cannot give complete in sociology considered power as a second- usually define only two competing discourses: internal dynamics of the discourse itself. My interpretation for the particular process and ary element of social life, as a subject–ob- pro-Euromaidan and Anti-Maidan. This view research helps to explain the mechanisms of have essential restriction for using in Ukrainian ject relation and defined it as an intention, corresponds to the binary vision of mass pro- exclusion as a discursive and practical strategy academic and public context. Concept of a will, an ability to achieve some results. test movements, which are supposed to have of mass protests movement, which is recog- manipulation, for example, requires a basic un- Poststructuralists criticise objectivistic vision two opposite camps, standpoints and lan- nised by researchers (Baysha, 2015) as one of derstanding of its potential subjects, “custom- of domination as an analogy of natural forces guages. On the contrary the pro-Euromaidan the most important causes of its failure. ers” and ability to compare distorted image of and subordinates as an obedient machines. discourse seems to have greater diversity and The blogosphere of Euromaidan is consid- reality with its true picture. It is not achievable According to them, power is a type of social dynamics, which are reflected in naturalisation ering in this article as a space of naturalisa- when the links between group of interests are relation of domination, which exercise as and denaturalisation. tion and denaturalisation processes, taking not transparent, events are accelerated and influence, control, governance, manipulation, Naturalisation is a discursive tool of mass OSN (online social networks), Facebook in alternative descriptions of reality are multi- supremacy, etc. Power exists everywhere, in all mobilisation via producing an enemy with the particular, as a specific field of my research. plied. These conditions also restrict using of levels of social interaction – societal, interin- help of a simplified worldview (Barthes, 1972 As a rule OSNs in mass protests movements the informational war concept. Explanation dividual, intergroup and intragroup. Power (1953); Foucault, 1980). Berkut, titushky3, Pravyi (Occupy (US), Tahrir (Turkey), Bolotnaya (RF), of violence through the growth of xenopho- exercises in different strategies of establishing Euromaidan, etc.) are considered to be the bia requires a reliable data of dynamics and of hierarchy including persuasion, coercion, tools of spreading information, mobilising structure of the events participants. We need force, assessment, competence, credibility, supporters and organising logistics (Barbero, time to determine the causes of increasing of charisma, etc. This interpretation of power 1 Disbanded special police unit at the regional Ministry Mezger 2014; Beriro 2014; Cao, Cheong, Li xenophobia, which also limits the interpreta- base on M. Foucault concepts of power/knowl- of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. 2014; Onuch 2014; Szostek 2014). The role of tion of current events. The explanatory poten- edge or discursive power (Foucault, 1980). It 2 Political party. tial of “hate speech” concept is weak, because operates horizontally, regulates interaction 3 Collective term for naming the young people are the representative mode of language is still through knowledge, norms, rules and stand- used secretly for political purposes as a mercenaries 4 Nomination of people who carry “George” ribbon, for the organisation of actions with the use of another naturalised nomination of anti-Ukrainian common, like “objectivism” in understanding ards, which become parts of common sense. physical force. people or anti-Maidan supporters. of social reality. Discursive power is productive: it creates social Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 47

reality, establishing groups of people and of social interaction, which aim is to legitimate the signifier gave a foundation to the signified: their messages, become a space of naturalisa- distinction between them by categories of skin such vision (or interpretation) of world and es- the myth exists from the precise moment when tion. For example, huge number of people color, sex, age, class, caste, place of living, edu- tablish it as a social order. All of us are engaged French imperiality achieves the natural state were shocked by the video where fighters of cation, etc. Discursive power does not belong in this struggle, for example, as an audience (Barthes, 1972, p. 129). According to this, natu- berkut humiliate cossack Mykhailo Gavryliuk in to someone, but to everyone who knows. The of commercial and political advertisement, ralisation forces to perceive some meanings as January 2014 in Kyiv, separatists abused patriot concept of discursive power gives us an abil- which manipulate by well-known symbols natural ones and to “forget” its socio-historical Iryna Dovgan in August 2014 in Donetsk. ity to understand how social power operates and creates its new meaning. Mass-media is genesis. Naturalisation is a dominative group’s Messages like this do not allow the identifica- through social networks, science, education, another actor and space of symbolic struggle, tool for converting their dispositions to com- tion of executors of tortures, but spread these mass media, advertising, etc., in other words – which implements there through nomination mon sense for all society. The norms of social meanings (readiness to violence) to all people in symbolic space. of people, groups, events, situations, etc. recourses division (as many other important named by this nomination. Therefore the rest Symbolic space is a specific dimension of Using naturalised nomination is one social division) are naturalised which helps to of situations with separatists, berkut and so on social world where all of position in social of power strategies which is deployed in reproduce current format of social inequality with high probability will be interpreted by space (as a set of available resources of money, symbolic space for mobilisation of support- and hierarchy. this generalised definition. Numerous facts of power, prestige, etc.) are represented by sym- ers and followers. Nomination (Bourdieu, Euromaidan, as a centre of symbolic resist- attacked people with ribbon (yellow-blue) or bols. They serve to exercise social interaction 1989) is naming or defining of social objects, ance against state power, has become an attacking people with ribbon (Georgs’), like, for and communication, to express representation phenomena, groups, etc. Each social agent alternative subject of legitimate nomination example, attack on the entrance of University and beliefs, which are used by people, their nominates social world around themselves and has produced naturalised nominations metro station in Kharkiv in April 13, 2014. interpretation of reality. The learning of these but legitimacy of these nominations is limited of collective identities. Such nomination as There are some conditions which foster per- representation by means of learning symbols by each social position. For example, parents maidan, titushky, colorady, vatniki5, banderas6 ception and adoption of naturalised nomina- is a content of socialisation and inculturation make legitimate nomination of their children, were emerged for naming the participants of tions. These are accelerated stream of events, processes. As Bourdieu writes: Through the dis- teachers – of their pupils, commander – of confrontation, designation of the border of infringement of social order routine (in our tribution of properties, the social world presents their subordinates, etc. The right of legitimate groups, communication of this groups and case – mass protests on Independence Square itself, objectively, as a symbolic system which is nomination within society at all belongs to the others. Nominations, which emerged at that in Kyiv), feeling of uncertainty and unpredict- organised according to the logic of difference, state. Each kind of IDs, certificates or licenses time, have become an object of researches in ability among people, suppressed reflexivity of differential distance. Social space tends to (official nomination), produced by state, not linguistic and sociolinguistic (Zhabotinskaya and critical thinking. People who do not have function as a symbolic space, a space of lifestyles only give person certain rights but also con- 2014, Trach 2015). These nominations were direct contact to the event area (by themselves and status groups characterised by different firm a symbolic power of state. Nominations indicating some groups as aggressive, warlike, or their friends, contact, etc.) but are included lifestyles (Bourdieu, 1989, p.20). The notion are not neutral, because they are produced dangerous or as enemies to each other. This to information flow, are insecure. They lose of symbolic space helps to describe specific in such social position, operate with binaries disposition becomes a sustained meaning of their safe everyday space. Indeed, neighbors, dimension of social world, where all of objec- based cultural categories and correspond with these nomination. As a result of naturalisa- colleagues, random passersby, fellow citizens tive properties exists as symbols, as signs of symbolic interests of dominant groups. One of tion, using this nomination in description of in your town become a potential source of differences. People’s ability to categorise and the main functions of nominations is to repro- such situation predetermines its finalisation danger. This danger and simplified world, classify something (for example, it looks intel- duce a groups border, symbolic relationships (conflict, clash, violence, etc.). Choosing such where all of social categories are reduced lectual, it looks patriotic) demonstrates them as between us and them, including construction naturalised nomination for identification or to we or them, friends or foes, our or enemy’s, socialised in particular society where concrete of enemy. The last one is a kind of naturalised self-identification becomes attribution of is ready to fight, not to live and need to be practices and characteristics are related to con- nomination. some person as motivated to violence against denaturalised. crete symbols. Current configuration of social R. Barthes considered naturalisation as opposite group. positions correlate to hierarchy of symbols, a function of myth as a secondary semiotic Mass-media (printed, electronic, social, Project design, research question, and this link seems self-evident for people system: Myth hides nothing and flaunts noth- etc.), which use naturalised nominations in data within the society. ing: it distorts; myth is neither a lie nor a confes- Some symbolic systems (like language) are sion: it is an inflexion (Barthes, 1972, p. 128). 5 Namely, a quilted jackets or padded jackets, As we explained earlier, naturalisation is one rather stable, but symbolic space of the soci- Myth naturalises the concept, transforms naturalised nomination of anti-Ukrainian people or of the main discursive strategies of massive anti-Maidan supporters. ety is permanently changing. This change is history to nature: Everything happens as if the 6 Followers of Stepan Bandera, kind of generalised mobilisation. Some groups or categories caused by symbolic struggle as a specific form picture naturally conjured up the concept, as if name for pro-Ukrainian supporters. of people are represented as enemies, who Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 49

have tendency to violence “from their nature”. filters were chosen in order to exclude falsified they consider their position to be “objective”, Friends. People of Kharkiv. Yesterday morn- Naturalised nominations, which are spreading and non-spontaneous posts. “above the events” (Denis Kobzin, 16.10.2014)7. ing I was standing in front of the RSA9 – we’re through mass-media messages, destroy secure The unit of analysis is a post, which includes In Russia, the supporters of the military not much better than colorady in our ability to space of everyday interaction. Another nega- the message of denaturalisation. The research operation in the eastern regions of Ukraine are hear the opponent. One woman from their side tive impact of this phenomenon is following: method is the traditional analysis of text. The convinced that the troops will play a liberating tried to explain in good faith, … that they also naturalised nominations become a ground for posts, which include denaturalisation, were role, that they are needed for the liberation of want to be heard, they do not want anything bad simplified worldview, based on binary opposi- detected from the Facebook news feed. The the friendly people from the “fascist boot”, that for Kharkov, that for many of them (according tions (“white–black”, “native–stranger”), which research data consists of 50 posts containing all of the protesters are “Bandera”, who will roll to her) Kharkiv is Ukraine. In response to that support social polarisation and encourage denaturalisation, 29 posts were chosen for back to Galychyna at the first sound of ap- we have started to sing loudly. It is not good. violence as a method of conflict resolution. final analysis. Total number of posts’ authors proaching Russian tank column. But supporters Actually, guys, I think, there are sane people on Denaturalisation is an opposite trend, which is 15. of the Maidan in central and eastern Ukraine the other side, who want to be heard (Kateryna breaks down simplified worldview of confront- perceive what is going on as a threat of foreign Nesmyeliva, 7.04.2014). ing with brutal enemies and reinvents socio-his- Denaturalisation in blogs intervention and do not understand who are The self-criticism strategy does not decon- toric and sociocultural meanings of naturalised The empirical manifestation of denaturalisa- those “dispatched kazachky”8 that Moscow is struct naturalised nomination. Here the attrib- nomination. Denaturalisation accent (among tion in Pro-Euromaidan blogs (in example of talking about. After all, in fact, they turn out to ute of enemy is used for we–group, named by others) on relation between meanings and author’s news feed) were found during the be these “dispatched kazachky” (Rostyslav Siryk, enemy group is humanised, and the emotional groups, represented by such nomination, their research. In order to organise data the de- 18.03.2014). neutralisation is achieved. history and intention, their changeability and naturalising messages were divided in two Denaturalisation appears here in actualising The call for dialogue interactive strategy was contextuality. Previous analysis gives oppor- groups – “strategies” and “modes”. First group the disposition of the opposite side of conflict also found. Dialogue is defined here in rela- tunity to presume that denaturalisation will was formed by posts where denaturalisation which is named as people from Russia in the tion with death: as an opposition to death, as be carried out in dis-identification of national appears in empirical manifestation of differ- first post and more precisely and narrower sup- a mean to prevent death, and death as a price (ethnic), state (governmental), territorial and ent kind of call to audience. The posts from porters of the military operation in the second of the dialogue: cultural as attribution of groups, actions and second group direct to some concepts of one. As seen, the dispositions of the opposite WE URGENTLY NEED DIALOGUE. The forces, objects. Denaturalisation also appears in the communication and interpretation, thinking side is analysed according to its contextual and that are trying to tear Ukraine into parts, dream spontaneous activity of bloggers. process as such. In other words, one group of situational background, the relation between that now everybody should take knives and guns The research question is: does denaturalisa- messages has intention to recreate the space position and disposition is establishing, and and go to massacre the families of berkut and tion exist in Euromaidan blogosphere? In what of interaction, another – the space of thinking. only then the judgments is giving. regionals10. They want us to become criminals kind of empirical manifestation (strategies and The names of groups are conditional because Another empirical expression of interactive so that they could deal with us as bandits. We modes) does it appear? the level of awareness as differentiation strategy found is self-criticism: are made to use force in cases when we need The object of this research is blogosphere criterion between “strategies” and “modes” in There is a question that bothers me. … I never a conversation with each other (Rostyslav Siryk, (messages of OSN) of Euromaidan. The sub- researched posts have to be proven by special liked such a singer as Ani Lorak. … But the ques- 25.01.2014). ject is a demonstration of denaturalisation as study. tion remains. What makes us different from the There we have it… Everything changes, when discursive practice in posts about Euromaidan At the beginning we would like to demon- neighboring country, where they announced people put their lives on stake. We have led the and connected events by pro-Ukrainian strate the first group of results first group of a persecution of Makarevich, for example? Why country to the fact, that other stakes are not bloggers. results with the interactive strategy: do we have to behave like vatniki ? … Prohibition accepted. Every human life is a terrible price to This research was conducted during For a lot of people from Russia it is just very is a big temptation. And then it will be difficult to pay for the mindless bestiality, which made us Euromaidan events from November, 2013 to difficult to understand what is happening here. refuse. It makes me sad to see that we are turning hostages. Each death must change something in November, 2014. The field of research was For example, it is difficult to realise and accept into savages (Zoya Kazanzhy, 4.08.2014). our mind, that will make the return impossible. narrowed to authors newsfeed in Facebook. Russia’s participation in our events (new and Therefore, each death should have a name. And The total number of friends is 548; there are increasingly credible evidence are persistently no matter from which ‚side’ this death is. We all no official politicians, professional journalists needed). And while many people sincerely want among them. All authors of analysed posts are to understand what is happening, they have 7 The citations from blogs are demonstrating with name of authors and date on publishing according to 9 Building of region state administration. pro-Ukrainian oriented, live in Kharkiv and are almost no chance, because neither we nor they permissions from authors. 10 Nomination of “Party of Regions” members and personally acquainted with the author. This have ever seen anything like this, and because 8 Spies. supporters, also of supporters of Victor Yanukovych. Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 51

pay for one thing: a country which will be good ability to talk about it and to make difference “loaded” symbols were explained above as of those who came out to Bolotnaya then, later for living (Iryna Red, 2.05.2014). between truth and false: naturalised. went to fight against the Donbass “Ukrainian Another example of interactive strategy DEAR RUSSIANS! Those who understand that The dis-identifications of “national one” and fasсists” or get delighted at the capture of the which were found is exposing and censuring Ukraine is a normal and adequate country! “state one” were found in blogs: Crimea. And I still hope very much that someday hate speech: Those who are against the war between Russia I talked to my mom yesterday. She was against we will be able to repeat this slogan (Vladimir The victory of the Maidan is a myth invented and Ukraine! Today in Moscow more than 200 the Euromaidan for all this time. She repeated Osetinsky, 19.07.2014). by contra. The Maidan cannot win by definition. people who came out to support peace, rather foolish things about banderas. But yesterday Denaturalisation at the level of regional The fight against obscurantism will stop only than war between Russia and Ukraine have she asked … me: “We don’t have to be in war symbols actualises dis-identification of city, after it is gone, i.e. never. If you do not want to been arrested! Do you want to avoid being ar- against Russia! I don’t want destructions. I don’t city population and administration: waste the Maidan, stop using offensive labels – rested? The answer is simple. Come to Kiev, to the want the war”. Then the text about national Our city seems like a hostage to me … taken Katsap , Moskal , Sovok11, Slave. Don’t blacken Maidan, join us and tell the whole truth about belonging was coming: “Your father is Russian, by a gang which will not go away. Huge masses your soul and don’t pollute the space, otherwise Putin’s regime and that YOU ARE AGAINST THE I am Ukrainian, are we against each other?” But of people want to go out and demonstrate their all this mud will eventually pour on you. Do not WAR WITH UKRAINE!!! Here YOU WILL NOT BE I have learned to differ state pretension from the loyalty to Ukraine …. Our main power is that gloat. Just because it’s petty and ugly. Besides we ARRESTED! Here the whole world will be able to national ones. And I told her that we were talking we are numerous. But it is disarm by the in- have not won yet. The struggle continues. Think hear you! Don’t be afraid! WE ARE FRATERNAL about … territorial unity of our magnificent state ability of any of the forces to take responsibility who your future mayor will be. Arrange public PEOPLES AND TOGETHER WE CAN WIN! We are and I don’t have any objections against people of for organising a massive demonstration. Any hearings. Suppress provocations. If you want ready to welcome you and all will be happy to any nationalities (Anna Sharygina, 3.03.14). organisation that would do it will be automati- democracy, learn to do democracy instead of meet you! Come and you will see that here you There were also posts with dis-identification cally held responsible for the security of people hostility (Rostyslav Siryk, 4.03.2014). will not be hurt!!! Come to Crimea and tell eve- the head of state and national culture: who would come there. … However, the bandits Media falsehood is also becoming an object rybody there that you, Russians, are against the Keep calm, citizens, quietly. Why the hell in our city are not marginalise hiding somewhere of exposing. It is the kind of denaturalising war (Rostyslav Siryk, 2.03.2014). should I stop loving Pushkin and consider the in the dark streets, they have acquired legitimacy strategy where the mediator between audi- Another group of posts represent de- Russian language as “a language of the enemy through elections. Kharkiv citizens have chosen ence and reality is problematised: naturalisation mode which includes two State” because of … [Putin]? Pushkin is my poet, the criminal power by themselves. And now this I found a certain channel “Planet” on my phenomena: dis-identification and reflection. and Russian language is my language, they criminals dominate over the law enforcement TV-set in the kitchen. While they were waxing Dis-identification is breaking relationships don’t belong to this scum (Vladimir Osetinsky, and collude with the criminal regime …, keep- eloquent about contact of modern civilisations of identity of some symbols. There are a lot 4.06.2014). ing our beloved city as a hostage. They frighten with aliens … I just laughed. Recently, however, of identifications in everyday and media Another kind of posts is dis-identification of us with titushky, the authorities inform as about they have started broadcasting about Slavic discourse which used to simplify a message. the state and the population of the country: acts of terrorism that could plunge the city into world unity, the disparity between corrupt, selfish For example, name of head of state is using Friends from Russia write: “Hello Rost. It seems chaos (Irina Red, 18.04.2014). Western attitudes and “communal character to name a national state, state institutions like our mad president is starting a war with your Some posts found can be named as dis- of the Slavs”. Also, I remember a programme in and their activities, etc. Name of country as country. Forgive us, we didn’t elect him and don’t identification a nation as such: which they explained that the Romans taught polysemantic symbol is using to denote ter- support him, don‘t wish evil to your country. I am sure that hundreds of people in culture to Europe, but it was the Etruscans who ritory, national state and institutions, popu- Don’t think bad about Russian citizens. Thanks” Moscow brought flowers to the Embassy of the had taught the Romans. And Etruscans were an lation, culture, people, etc. These semantic (Rostyslav Siryk,1.03.2014). Netherlands. I know there are many people ancient Slavic civilisation (i.e. Russian) (Denys links help to transmit some kind relationships, Revolution, excuse me for being a bit theatri- in Russia who do not support anti-Ukrainian Kobzin, 21.10.2014). for example hostility, from political leaders cal, is a time of hope and love, war is a time of politics, and I know how hard it is for these dis- Calls to action, to take part in meeting, to state, to people, to country, to national hate. … On February 21, on the largest pro- senters to live under these false and terrible sign to visit Euromaidan were named participa- culture, etc. These kind of meanings transmis- Maidan demonstration over the three previ- “99.99% support”. Among them there are those tory strategy of denaturalisation. In posts like sion becomes a content of political, national ous months in Kharkiv, one of our slogans was who just do not believe in aggression of Russia placed below authors emphasise the impor- or geopolitical mythologies which functions “Russia is not Putin!” (Then we went to the against Ukraine. I understand why they cannot tance of personal experience, own practice of as a mean of mobilisation12. Such kind of Russian consulate to express our solidarity with believe. It’s really scary. And right now, when the participation and observation of the events for the prisoners of Bolotnaya). I remember well war corrupts people’s minds, it is important to 12 Trade boycott is functioning according to the same a similar slogan in winter Maidan in Kiev … . remember, that there are no “evil nations”, that 11 Offensive name of soviet people. semantical mechanism. Among other things, we got to know that some scum and heroes exist in any nation, and there Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 53

are dictators and cowardly dictators (Rostyslav of the plant, which produces military hardware, “svidomaya”18 in the bad meaning of this word As research data allow to generalise, the Siryk, 19.07.2014). a dozen picketers yelled hysterically about the …. :))) In general, “How terrible life is” (c) :))) naturalisation precedes denaturalisation. But Another mode of denaturalisation which “junta” and “fascists” and urged the workers to (Masha Bakhtigozina, 16.10.2014). these processes are correlating with differ- was found in blogs is a reflection. It creates spoil tanks. The picket was guarded by the police ent social interests and therefore are differ- such space for thinking where using natu- … . People, who discussed this video, wrote Conclusion ing in their social force. That is why a waves ralised nomination is become inadequate about criminality of city authorities, which allow As seen, there is denaturalisation in pro-Euro- of naturalisation and denaturalisation can or impossible. Reflection as “coming back”, this kind of action. And … I’m just thinking, isn’t maidan bloggers posts. Among denaturalisa- cover or overlap each other. The one o spe- self-analysis, checking own dispositions and it the democracy? I mean … that different politi- tion strategies were found interactive, critique cific conditions which inhibit or even deny thinking methods, critical rethinking of com- cal forces have possibility to speak freely (during of media, participatory, among denaturalisa- denaturalisation is war. When the use of force mon generalisations help to form sensitivity the war!). Maybe this is a civil liberty as such? We tion modes – dis-identification and reflection. becomes permanent and positions of enemies to distinguish naturalised symbols, to real- were growing up in sovok16, where it was impos- Collective identities which were emerged in objectifies by hostilities, the seizure of terri- ise functionality and limitation of semantic sible to imagine such things, and it is terribly Euromaidan space and categories of national, tory, destruction and victims naturalising war simplifications. For example, reflection can difficult for us even to think about it (Vladimir ethnic, and state, country, nation, and its cul- discourse monopolises public space. be directed to reconstruction of processual Osetinsky, 25.06.2014). ture, city authorities and population, etc. were Also need to emphasise that naturalisation dimension of reality: Metaphoric thinking also can function as denaturalised in some messages. and denaturalisation characterise symbolic as- It seems that firstly, I realised myself as denaturalisation mode. There is compare of Dis-identification also can be considered as pect and discursive practises of consolidation Ukrainian (not by blood, of course, by civic war and illness: a competition of some myths about power and processes within society, including violent, and identity) in autumn of 2004. Not because I began When you take care of a close person who is nation. Myth of national as ethnic competes that is determined further researches. to feel some special sentiments about Ukrainian seriously ill, it becomes clear, that wars and dis- with myth of national as states one. Another history and culture … . But because I felt great re- eases are twins in terms of their outcomes. If it is couple of competing myths is power position Iuliia Soroka – professor of sociology at the spect and admiration for people who can defend your destiny, you will get over it, if not you’ll face and person who occupy it. Competition actual- V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine). their freedom and human dignity in such a way. the completion of the way. The main point is to ises the question does he or she personalise She received her degree of Doctor of Science And it was incredibly cool to feel that I am a part start the treatment. The same goes for Ukraine. the state and people will either this person in Sociology at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National of this nation. … On March 9 this year, during the The truthful diagnosis is that our country is mor- only represents its? University (2013). She worked at this university demonstration in Kharkov that gathered more ally sick. We can’t have been healthy to be ready The results of research demonstrate that from 1999. She teaches “Sociology of culture”, than ten thousands of people, I, who consider to ruin it for decades, and our citizens begin to OSN functioned not only a mobilisation and “Training in Sociology of Culture”, “Methods of myself as liberal and cosmopolite, was losing my hate one another (Alla Konyaeva, 5.08.2014). informational tools for mass protests. It also Teaching Sociology in Higher School”. She also head with joy walking along Sumskaya13 and The interesting version of denaturalisation becomes a space for resistance of hostility served as Vice Dean of School of Sociology on waving the national flag of Ukraine. This is what mode is self-reflection: rhetoric. Spontaneous bloggers’ activity, as teaching process issues (2003–2007). Her fields of I call evolution, malyata14 (Vladimir Osetinsky, The whole day today I was corresponding seen, confronts a destruction of safe social scientific interests are sociology of culture, cultural 26.04.2014). with one person, who I don’t know personally, interaction space. An image of enemy is de- mechanisms of power, social perception of the Another examples of reflection mode we are not even FB friends. But he has read my stroying through reflection of inhomogeneity Other, cultural diversity, teaching of sociology, including some abstract concepts to inter- comment about disagreement with the march within enemies group, self-reflection and di- student-centered education, anti-oppressive pretation of an event. Citation below includes of the UPA in Kharkov, and now we’re engaged alog. In other hand the research data allow to pedagogy. meditation around concept of civil liberties: in a daylong disputes on historical, sociological identify internal dynamics of pro-Euromaidan Afiliacja: A few days ago a lot of people discussed the and all other possible issues. It seems like I am discourse which determined by the processes Iuliia Soroka video of the picket in front of the entrance of the vatnik :)) It’s very funny, but most of all, it’s true of naturalisation and denaturalisation. OSN be- Department of Sociology Kharkov Malyshev factory15. … In the immedi- :))) And in Odnoklassniki17 I have been having comes a conducive space for denaturalisation Faculty of Sociology ate rear of the fighting army, in front of entrance a conversation with a friend for six months about because unlike traditional media the subject of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University the ‚neo-Nazi threat‘. And there I turn out to be speech perceives themselves here as address- Email: [email protected] ee of mythological (naturalised) massage. 13 A central street in Kharkov. References: 14 Malyata (Ukrainian word) – addressing to small 16 In Eng. – scoop. Offensive name for a Soviet man. children, often used ironically to adults. 17 Russian online social network (like Nasza Klasa in 18 Svidomaya (Ukrainian word) – conscientious person, Barthes, R. (1972). Mythologies: Roland Barthes. New 15 Tank factory in Kharkiv. Poland). in some context – Ukrainian patriot. York: Hill and Wang. Denaturalisation of Collective Identities within pro-Euromaidan Discourse (on field of Facebook… 55

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