Before its collapse in 1991, the Soviet regime was associated with the forced conscription of millions into its brutal labor camps. This system endured for nearly 70 years, relentlessly targeting dissenters, notably Christians.
Recently, Stephen Colbert, during his time as host of CBS’s “The Late Show,” touched upon the idea that the Soviet Union shouldn’t solely be blamed for its actions, despite its historical reputation. He discussed the complexities surrounding this perception, particularly as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Julia Ioffe, a reporter originally from the Soviet Union, appeared on Colbert’s show, promoting her new book that argues the Soviet experiment was, in some ways, a “fairy tale land” for feminism. She highlighted that the regime not only mandated women’s participation in the workforce but also legalized abortion and established no-fault divorce, effectively transforming both men and women into interchangeable labor forces devoid of strong national ties.
“I recall seeing posters back in the day that clearly stated, ‘Women are not allowed to do this in the West,'” Colbert recalled. He remarked on the perceived positive feminist agenda during the communist era.
Ioffe noted that many, including Russians themselves, often forget that Russia, and at one point the Soviet Union, truly spearheaded global feminism.
However, her attempts to portray the Soviet Union as a leader in women’s rights were met with criticism. For instance, she acknowledged that while women gained the right to vote in 1917 under the Provisional Government, that right diminished significantly post-October Revolution. This was a stark contrast to American women, who began voting in some states prior to 1917, successfully ratifying the 19th Amendment in 1920 without resorting to communism.
While Ioffe recognized that the voting rights of women in the USSR became almost nominally empty, she did point out various benefits offered by the totalitarian regime, including free higher education, abortion access, child support, civil divorce, and paid maternity leave. Moreover, she revealed that during World War II, around 800,000 women, primarily young girls, actively participated in combat.
Colbert seemed puzzled as to why the Soviet Union’s initial advances in women’s rights faded, questioning, “What led to that disappearance?”
To which Ioffe quipped, “Because he’s a man.” Colbert responded with an apologetic, “I’m so sorry.”
In other news, Colbert recently stated that despite public speculation, he does not have plans for a presidential election run in 2028 and intends to leave “The Late Show” in May.
