Here’s the print version of “Explaining Communism” article by @michiganstateu @amindasmith

She claims: “Communism has long been controversial, and in the U.S. today, reputable sources disagree about it.”

I’ll 🧵 my concerns with her whitewashing of communism .@amindasmith argues “Communists believe that people should share wealth so that no one is too poor, no one is too rich, and everyone has enough to survive and have a good life.”

Reality: Majority of people who lived under collectivist societies - China, former USSR - were poor.

This is bizarre rhetoric that should be wholly rejected. If you think @GovernorVA proclaiming this week @schoolchoicewk is segregation, bless your heart. Virginia students would be better served having options and not being trapped in failing schools.

CC @DeAngelisCorey

https://twitter.com/ThomasBowmanPR/status/1486704778570878983

And predictably, he blocked me. Such bravery. Wow.

I know many in my generation here in the US are removed from the Soviet Union’s horrors, but that system collapsing 30 years ago was a beautiful moment for my family and millions of others who were demoralized by it.

Why we must continue to educate our peers about its horrors. Contrary to popular belief, I was born here and not in the USSR. (People assume my being first-Gen American = born there, immigrated here.) First person in my family born in the US. But the horrors are very raw to me because my parents were keen on us knowing our history.

I see the Biden administration nixed “assimilation” from their lexicon, citing it’s not inclusive enough.

EXCUSE ME?

Becoming a part of the American fabric—the melting pot—is very inclusive. It’s what draws people here.

Assimilation doesn’t mean abandoning your heritage. My family assimilated when they got here after fleeing the Soviet Union. They still retain their native tongues, culture, and accents but are keen on speaking English too.

Nothing criminal about it.

Millions of other immigrants, including non-Europeans, assimilate too.

Per declassified @CIA files from 2002: Nikita Khrushchev said on August 4th, 1960: "You may remember in my speech in America when I said that your grandchildren will live under communism."

SOURCE, pg. 7: cia.gov/library/readin… "When Mr. Khrushchev says our grandchildren will live under communism, let us say his grandchildren will live in freedom.” (LA Times - 1996)

latimes.com/archives/la-xp…

A story American press hasn't reported on yet, so I'll do the honors. In @Lithuania, Chinese tourists desecrated pro-Hong Kong crosses placed at Hill of Crosses in Šiauliai—a holy site for Christians there. More at @resurgent from yours truly theresurgent.com/2019/12/29/chi… @Lithuania @resurgent What's the significance of this story in #HongKong struggle for freedom? On 30th anniversary of #BalticWay in August, Hong Kong demonstrators recreated their own human freedom chain in a nod to 2M Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians who formed human chain for freedom vs USSR

People voluntarily choose to join the @NRA. Millions, in fact. We chose to join because we don’t want our fellow Americans to be defenseless or disarmed. We want to educate others on TRUE gun safety. We want to empower others to defend themselves, for last resort. #IAmTheNRA My dad — who fled Soviet communism — joined @nra several years ago with me after moving from California to Virginia. We simultaneously trained for our CHPs. The NRA fosters safety and rejects criminal behavior #IAmTheNRA