How dbh handles "revolution" is one of my main gripes with it. Especially the "peaceful revolution" route. Obviously, looking at it from the historic perspective, every movement which had emancipation as a goal used violent opposition as the main instrument of action. I mean, what else there is to do?
(continuation is under the cut)
The only occurrence that I can think of that has *some* resemblance to dbh (peaceful revolution specifically) is the abolishment of serfdom in Imperial Russia. The reasons for abolishment of slavery include: the system has outlived it's usefulness, the elites in late 18th and early 19th centuries started to consider serfdom inhumane and thre amount of serf rebellions increased in some parts of the empire. There was no revolution, so to speak, emancipation was granted "from the above," but rebellions still took place. DBH's peaceful revolution is so baffling to me because we don't even see any positive gestures from people in power and the elites. We only have Carl and possibly Elijah, but they literally don't do anything public. Bringing Imperial Russia example once again, plenty of classical pieces from the 19th century focused on the tough and unfair life of serfs. So when the androids are considered people due to positive public opinion, it feels like it comes out of nowhere. One could argue that "Oh but maybe the humanity has learned it's lesson and now has better time at spotting the oppression and fixing its mistakes, for example how WW2 affected the human rights movement" but no, throughout the game's environmental storytelling we're shown that people in 2038 are not that mentally different from people in the 2010s. Hell, there's another war with Russia over the horizon. Nothing is getting solved with words.
And okay, I get it, being hopeful that the humanity can change, look back and not the make the same mistake towards beings it enslaved is very nice, despite my outlook on the world, I do agree that humanity as a whole is slowly improving. I don't mind this ending if it was the way the author displayed their genuine hope for the humanity and that "love and kindness prevail". But the game showcases this is as the best outcome, with the fan-favourite hug, smiles and all that. And when you've spent multiple hours playing grief simulator as a result of systematic oppression, it feels... cheap?
The game is mainstream - it's really obvious that the story has been written in a place where violent oppression is a thing of the past. It's a feature article of the glory of the underdog victor's in the face "of the big bad", with the details of what comes before and after purposefully forgotten. Every time I see a celebrated piece of fiction, where the opressed come out victors, like it happens in "peaceful" DBH route, I remember about massive protests in Belarus in 2020 and I just want to stare at the wall.
Anyway bless North and her nuke. She gets it.
P.S.
Judging from reblogs, you people like listening to me yap, and I sincerely thank you. Makes me feel seen. Plus, it's just cool to share one's thoughts? Especially when people are reading them with critical thinking engaged as well? So yeah, I decided to bring this thing from twitter, maybe you'll find it interesting as well.
