I lived in communism until I was 14. Then the 1989 revolution came. It was the end of dictatorship.
What can you remember from this age or earlier? A lot.
How much does it affect you? A lot more; like everything that happens to you when you are a child.
Globally, communism killed about 100 millions people. Yes, the figures are right, no mistake here: 100 millions. It was a huge disaster which has hit our country too.
First and the most powerful memory is fear. The secret police – Securitatea – knocked one day at our door and searched our house. They did not say what they were looking for. I understood that day what snitches are. And that they were close, as close as our neighbors. You had to pay attention what you said and what you did, otherwise you were in trouble. Or, to be more specific, they imposed you what to say, do or even think.
Another powerful memory is the lack of electrical power. Not because we weren’t connected to the network, but because it was cut off every day. This is what was happening in small towns and villages. In the evening we did our school homework at a lamp’s or candle’s light. We were in the dark, literally. And cold. Because during winters the heating system was cut off, too. So, you have to dress well before you went to bed, even if you had a sister trying to keep you warm.
Communism was about flattening society too. I was never the “blend in” type. At first not by choice, than yes, by choice too and I kinda liked it.
This is a little part of my personal experience as I've lived it.
It’s interesting how some younger people who weren’t born yet say that communism was good, they have opinions. Of course one can have an opinion, but not ignoring the facts (again: 100 million).
In 2006 our president denounce communism as “an illegal and criminal regime”. That’s exactly how I see it.