Emil Draitser

Emil Draitser, a former Soviet satirist and author of 'Laughing All the Way to Freedom,' joins the conversation to share his experiences of escaping censorship in the USSR for the chaotic freedoms of 1970s America. He discusses how satire served as both resistance and survival during his time in the Soviet Union. Emil reflects on the stark contrasts between the acceptance of Cold War refugees and today's immigrant climate. Their discussion also touches on the uneasy dynamics of modern politics and the ongoing influence of Soviet culture on identity.