Way to Russia Talk Lounge

branboy1077 · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:51 am Post subject: African American In Russia

My wife and I went to Moscow a few weeks ago (we were there for 10 days), and everything I read on this site about Russians and their racism is BOGUS. I'm an African American, and my wife is Russian, and it was my first trip to Moscow to see where she grew up. The in-laws have been in America on 2 different occasions, so it wasn't like I was meeting them for the first time. Moscow was AWESOME! It was snowy pretty much the entire time, but it wasn't that cold. Chicago would be colder, because there was no wind or humidity. Anyway, I knew I was going to get a lot of looks, but I didn't know what to think of it. The looks were there, but it was because they knew that I was an American. The majority of the Black people in Moscow are students from Africa, and they knew that I didn't fit that mold.

Russian people, in my opinion, are better than most Americans in this sense. They REALLY wanted to make sure I had a great time. In America, if somebody comes from another country, we really don't care how they are enjoying themselves. If you tell a Russian that you aren't having a good time, they will ask you what they can do to make your stay better.

I must confess, I was a real big fan of the beer and cigarette stands, and the fact that you can get them for $1 each made it more special.

We plan on going back in the Summer of 2006, and if a miracle occurs and Moscow gets the 2012 Olympics, we'll be there for that also.

Thank you, Russia. You have given me many great memories, and a great future to look forward to. Nobody will ever talk bad about Russia in my presence again, because I will set them straight.

Camrade · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 1:17 am Post subject:

2branboy1077
people who talk about an outstanding racism in Russia haven't visited this country Smile

as for me for example colour of the skin it doesn't matter, the main thing is a personality... and this is the main rule for most of russians cause Russia is multicultural and multinational country.
But certainly you can find examples of racism there.... Smile

I mean skinheads etc. but it can happen if you would walk across the dark streets in the night. Police try to protect black people (after lots of news about killed foreign students). Also there are lots of drugdealers from african countries, so police can suspend afroamericans...

spartacus · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 76

There is a difference bewteen encounters with black tourists and dealing with blacks in the US or Canada. I know a couple of Russian women who comment on how rude blacks are in the US & Canada. They may not be racist, but they are very politically incorrect, they don't have a fear of stating the truth as they see it, like most PC Americans do. I am sure plenty of cool black guys can walk away with a russian babe, but introduce her to your "homies", and to your pushy black female friends, and see what happens.

branboy1077 · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 2:57 am Post subject:

You will find skinheads everywhere. Hell, there are skinheads in St. Louis, but the majority of the people here are kind and very helpful. As to the comment by Spartacus, sure, there are people that would disagree with interracial marriages, but those people are everywhere. Especially in America, we see color before anything else. Being that my wife speaks Russian (obviously, she's a Russian that has lived in America for 9 years), she would alert me to anything negative that a person said, but there was nothing worth noting. Regardless of nationality, if I introduce a white woman to my "homies", as you put it, I'm sure that the reaction wouldn't be too kind. That's why I associate myself with people that I feel comfortable with. Somebody that's not going to judge me like that.

swp4lfe · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:15 am Post subject:

I agree Some Russian people are very nice people and i think some of you are amazing who can speak English and Russian. 2 very difficult languages to speak. I was in Russia for 19 days and i am from Philadelphia. Black people make the city and i counted only 9 black people in Moscow mostly in Malls and in the Metro. I wanted to talk to them to see if they were American but i didnt. And i got just as many stares because i was American. Everywhere i went people would stare at me, I just stared back and told them in English "its rude to stare" but of course they didnt understand. Russia was cold when i first arrived but later it wasnt because the snow was melting. I cant wait until next year or possibly this summer when i return to Moscow.

Jutrzenkapolska · VIP Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 534

There used to be a time in Europe when a black man who ventured outside would be chased ten miles down the street by a mob of white people carrying soap and brushes. Mr. Green

elle325 · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:20 am Post subject: In response to Jutrzenkapolska

I 'm not really sure how to take that. Can you elaborate? Very Happy

chi6me8ra · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:55 am Post subject: um yeah

Jutrzenkapolska, I am going to have to agree with Elle325...what did you mean exactly by that comment?

branboy1077- I'm pretty happy to actually hear that you had a great time in Russia. I'll be there in exactly two weeks and to tell the truth I'm a little tired of ppl trying to scare me away from going there because I'm black. I keep finding articles about how xenophobic Russians are and it's nice to hear from another black person that those articles aren't completely true. I anticipate a pleasant trip but I guess it all depends... Smile

chi6me8ra · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:18 am Post subject: ...

spartacus - i would have to agree with you that a lot of Americans are too PC for their own good but I don't wouldn't agree with your comment about black females being pushy. I don't know how many "pushy black females" or "homies" that you have run into but I wouldn't exactly generalize. I'm not attacking you or anything but I wouldn't say black women are pushier than any other race. People's actions depend on a mixture of both nature and nurture; groups of ppl aren't ALL born with specific characteristics. Anyhow, I've gone off on a tangent...[size=9]sorry [/size]

Jutrzenkapolska · VIP Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 534

It was a private joke.

You know how ever since the Nazis came, killed everyone and left, Poland has been a near homogenous country (98% of Poland is Polish today)?So maybe not now but 20, 40 years ago anyone from a different race was an exotic curiosity item.

My father was at the University of Warsaw in the late 1960's.And you know how the communist government frequently gave scholarships to college students in Africa to study in Poland.There were four black students in my dad's class and you can imagine that they were a big attraction.One guy from Ghana claimed that whenever he walked down the street, everybody sitting at the outdoor cafes on both sides of the street would do a 180 degree rotation, following him with their heads.Another guy told my dad that people would come up to him and touch him on the street.Another said he was chased for five blocks by people with soap Smile

but that I will not believe.

chi6me8ra · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:18 am Post subject: ok

oh ok, i get it...that would suck though if you were the star attraction eveywhere you went. i can't tell you how many ppl in the united states ask me if they can touch my hair, Evil or Very Mad

which is somewhat bothersome . anyhow, i get your comment Smile

branboy1077 · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

I'll go ahead and chime in some more. You're going to have a BLAST in Russia. Maybe one of the reasons why I didn't encounter any problems was because I was with my wife, and we didn't go to any problem areas. Regardless, be prepared for looks, LOTS of them. But it's going to be okay, nobody is going to want to kick your ass or anything. I personally can't wait to get back there. Make sure you let us know how it is for you.

Adventurous2 · Just Starting Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 1

Branboy, Man am I glad that I ran across your post . I am contemplating a visit to Russia/ Tver specifically to see a young lady and I must admit to being some what intimidated. Ideally, I would like to accompany someone. Or have them accompany me. At any rate I would love to have a serious chat with youabout Russia and your next visit. Thanks

Adventurous2

chi6me8ra · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:43 am Post subject: i seem to get it everywhere

its so weird, it is as if ppl all around me are telling me that going to russia will be tough because of being black. like today i went to buy some luggage and a ukrainian girl who worked there basically told me not to expect a warm welcome from the ppl in SPb. i mean i can't really say she's lying because in her case ppl might not be so nice but it just gets annoying hearing that i will encounter problems because ppl can id me as being a foreigner.

branboy1077 · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

Look around you today. How many foreign people do you see? Exactly! That's why going to Russia is going to be different. You've probably never been a foreigner in your whole life. Things are about to change, my friend. Again, I didn't experience any racism at all. Maybe because I was in Moscow, and not a smaller town. Maybe because my wife was with me, and we spent the majority of the time in her neighborhood. Maybe because I was not out at the clubs partying until 3:00am. But the bottom line is this. You WILL get some looks, but don't think negative of it. They are curious, they want to know your story. "Why in the hell is a black American here in Russia?" That will be the theme. Russians are very proud, VERY proud. They want you to have a good time. Here in America, we see a foreigner, and if they aren't having a good time, we say, "To hell with you, go back home!". In Russia, they say, "You're not having a good time? What can I do to make it better?" You'll have a blast.