MysticLights

Hello Anatole!

My family left Poland in 1987. I myself am really interested in Communist history because when I ask my family about living in Poland, they say that communism was one of the best things to happen to them, saying that Stalin was just a 'rough patch.'

I have two questions for you. Did you notice any distinct differences in propaganda or state intervention in the various places you had to move through? And how do you feel about communism in the USSR, not necessarily Stalinism?

As far as I've been told, my family were not collaborators.

From what they've told me, they enjoyed communism to the current capitalist system we live under because under communism, they had a home, albeit one bedroom for a 5 person family, my grandfather had a job for 30 hours a week and he was able to spend time with his family on the weekend. When they moved to Canada, my father was forced to work, my grandfather had to work 50+ hours a week, including working weekends.

My mother side of the family also received a home and food were they were previously homeless, but they are more reserved about telling me their history. My grandfather was forced to get a divorce from my grandmother so that she could leave with the children because he was wanted by the police. I also know my great grandmother on this side had traumatic experiences with Soviet soldiers while being liberated.

EDIT: I just realized I sound very defensive. I'm sorry if it comes across that way. I'm quite proud of my family, and I can't think they were ones to be collaborators in the sense that they would 'rat people out' or be a part of the government. But then again, they only tell me what they want to tell me, right? Thank you for answering my questions. :)

EDIT #2: I should note that when my family speaks good of communism why mean Lenin and Khrushchev. Never Stalin or Brezhnev.