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Guest · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:51 am Post subject: Are Russians Racists?

Are Russian people racist? What do you think of black people? Non-Russians? Americans? Question

Randy · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 4:08 am Post subject:

To Guest....

I see that there has been no takers on your questions. I am an American, but have lived there for several years. This in no way makes me an expert, but I can give you an educated opinion to your questions. You asked if Russian people are racist? Sort of a in general question, so generally no, they aren't racist, but Russia has racist like everywhere else. If you follow any of the Russian news web sites you will notice that the Skinheads are very active in St.Petersburg. If you are a black person, then you will probably receive some stares if you go to Russia, but don't think this is because of racism. It would probably be because there just aren't many black people there.
As for non-Russians, there has always been non-Russians in Russia so they are pretty much used to them. People from the southern break-away republics, such as Georgia, Uzbek, etc are tolorated, but sometimes not trusted very much. Chechens are deffinitly not accepted, or trusted. I will tell you this about Russian's, they are pretty much an honest people, and won't hide their feelings. I was told by one retired Russian Army Major on our first meeting " I hate Americans!". It was a very blunt statement, but after that we had a two hour conversation, then I had dinner at his home.
Living there, I met many people, made many very close friends, and now have Russian in-laws there. None of these good people have ever treated me differently because I am an American. I figure that if you show them respect, you will receive the same in return. If you are a person that would bash their system, culture, or way of life, then you will not be a very liked person. The really bad thing is that this sort of person gives all Americans a very bad image.
I could never speak for the Russian people, and remember these words are only my opinion.

waytorussia · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 14

You know, just this night I was coming back from a club, and got a car for a lift.

The driver was from Azerbaidjan -- these people experience racism the most, as they have Caucasian origins (most of the racism from nationalist groups is, unfortunately, pointed at them, because of the war in Chechnya).

I asked him a direct question: "Do you experience racism in Russia?". It was obviously a hard subject for him, he was quite emotional. He told me that the only people who are racist in Russia are skinheads. And that he doesn't understand skinheads because they wear swastikas and worship Hitler, but they forgot that during the 2nd World War their grandmother and grandfathers were killed and humiliated by Hitler. And this Azerbaidjani said that the skinheads must be crazy and they are normally from broken families, where parents are alcoholics and they have nothing to do.

I asked him if normal Russians you usually meet on the street treat him well. And he said yes, they do. He doesn't experience any racism from Russian people, it's only these groups of skinheads that create problems. Furthermore, he said, we were friends during the Soviet times and he has respect for Russian people and he has many Russian friends who respect him.

So, you see, I think his words prove that Russians are not racists, but there are certain groups, usually broken, psychologically ill people, who are racists. They create problems for the people who look Caucasian, because they were made to believe (or made themselves to believe) that Chechenians, Azerbaijani people take their jobs and are the reason for poverty. I hope that when the situation in Russia improves (economically and socially) and people will start being more responsible this problem will slowly disappear.
But for now, the foreigners may feel completely safe, I think, because Russians are NOT racists and even if you meet a skinhead you will not be a target for him -- these skinheads are lost, broken, ill young people who are desperately trying to assert themselves, so they are not very dangerous, because they are weak.

The best advice is not to be too concious about this, remember, most Russians are very helpful and warm people and they will welcome you as a member of their family if you get to know them, no matter your origins or the color of your skin.
If you encounter some violent nationalists, the best is to act as if they are not there and not to start any quarrel or fight with them. Just pass by and don't be offended, because they are sick people.

waytorussia · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 14

Something about black people: most Russians don't have anything against black people, they treat them as they would treat a foreigner from any other country and most likely they will think you're from America.

By the way, today I saw a catalogue of sportswear of the leading Russian sport shop chain - Sportmaster - and one of the models was a young black woman. So, you see, seeing a black person is not something Russians are completely not accustomed to. I think black people just arouse interest as there are not many of them in Moscow (that's why many people are surprised that people look at them a bit too much), but not bad feelings or hatred.

Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:46 pm Post subject:

[quote="WayToRussia"] most likely they will think you're from America.

What is that suppose to mean once they find out your not from the US they will kick the crap out of us

Dmitri Paranyushkin · Guest

No, it doesn't mean this at all.

If you expect something to happen, it will happen.

Alyona · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:58 pm Post subject:

really lol Laughing

this problem (as imho anywhere) is a problem only for "broken, psychologically ill people, who are racists". Normal people is the same in Russia or US.
And black people is rather unusual for Russia, and in contryside they can attract more attention than used to be Smile

But only as someone exotic. Nothing personal)))

castilho · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:50 pm Post subject:

Alyona is perfect right. During the Olympic Games, in Moscow (1980), I noticed the same. I got some friends from Africa, journalists from Angola and Mozambique, and they told me very often that russian people wes curious about them. One of these jornalistas was invited to have dinner with a family because they wanted to know how he lived in Africa, etc. "It was funny because the little children touched me all the time. But they were very pleasant to me", he said to me. Off course, skin heads can't represent any nationality or any country. They are the same in Russia, Germany, USA or Brazil where we have some of the them.

Give-Me-A-Name

Of course I am a person on my own and may be biased and may be wrong too. I just want to share my experiences and conclusions from these experiences. I am Russian and I traveled a lot in Europe and in the US and lived there pretty long. I am now in the US and am looking forward coming back home because Americans seem to be-I dont want to say racist, racism shows are rare here because it is outlawed-but I constantly feel some non-verbal and sometimes verbal arrogance and disdain from WHITE AMERICANS, the black Americans in general seem more open-hearted and benevolent. I am nauseated by permanent false smiles coupled with wicked, wary eyes, unfriendly voices and manners, but mainly eyes and the way the Americans talk-I was permanently made feel that I am something alien and unwelcome. I HAVE SEEN VERY RARELY COMPARABLE AND SO REPUGNANT TO ME ATTITIDES IN RUSSIA. Interesting, I did not feel that on the part of other foreigners in the US (Chinese, Indians, Hispanics, etc) and what is most interesting, some other foreigners agreed with me when I shared the thoughts from above with them. I wonder why are Americans such? Do they really believe that they are superior to all the others? But at the same time they claim they are the leaders and missionaries of democracy and equality? I guess it is political demagogy to achieve practical goals in international business and politics. What about REAL democracy and equality in the US? I guess here the situation may be even worse than in Russia. Well, anyway Abu Greib and events in Iraq seem to reveal the true nature of American democracy. I am looking forward to coming to Russia back. I will refrain from saying that I hate Americans but now I understand better why other people may hate them.

Randy · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 5:02 am Post subject:

Give Me A Name,
First I will tell you that I am Native American with darker skin, and I have personally experienced racism more than once in Russia. My Russian friends that were with me explained to me that these people that showed this racism thought I was from one of your southern republics. On different occasions I was refused service, spoken to very rudely, and even pushed physically because of the color of my skin. I have also experienced street muggers in St. Petersburg on three occasions, once being shot at, and twice had a knife pulled on me because they knew I was an American. I didn't take it personally, and I have never thought of hating Russians because of these incidents. I would have a very narrow mind if I thought all Russians were this way. It is sad that you judge all Americans by the few you have met. Also it is sad that you think that what happened at the prison in Iraq is representative of American democracy, when it was only seven stupid individuals who did those terrible things.
America is a country of immigants form all over the world. After Christifor Cloumbus first set foot on this land it became flooded with immigrants from every continent which brought with them their cultures, and there were Russians among them as well. So, all the bad, and the good you see here were imported, handed down by prior gererations. This is what many of my Native people believe.
My family has taught me from childhood to never hate anyone, and I continue those teaching to my children. I was also taught to always look for the good in people, because if you look for the bad you will surley find it. So, I ask you (Give Me A Name) please don't judge all American's so quickly. I don't know why you are in the US, but I do hope you have had one or two good experiences while you have been here.

36_CKOTUHOK · Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 29

skinheads can attack you even if you don't seem to be from USA or you are not black. AFAIK they don't need any reason to kill somebody. They are russian Basaevs and Gelaevs. If they will get weapons, world will have one big Chechnya with nuclear missiles. and they seem to be not ill or weak, but motherfuckers.

ow28 · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 36

Mr. WWu777,
You wrote
"Russians are gready."
"Russians are racist."

There is a saying in Russia:
Po odezhke vstrechayut, po umu provozhayut.
Man is estimated according to his dress (appearence) at first meeting but then he is estimated according to his intellect at seeing-off.

May be you met people with too high standards, sorry.

wavetossed · WayToRussified Joined: 27 Jun 2004 Posts: 339

Everybody is racist to some extent. Russians are no different.

For instance, a large percentage of Russians simply depise blacks. So if you look like a black, it may not be wise to travel to Russia, especially now when there is an increase in attacks on blacks.

Of course if you have African ancestors or look oriental, you shouldn't have any real problems. It's just people who look like blacks, for instance Italians, Greeks, Turks and so on. After what the blacks did in the school in Beslan, the underlying racism in Russia has been renewed and invigorated.

Confused by the word "blacks"? Don't be. Russia is not America. In Russia, blacks are white-skinned people with black hair, black eyebrows, brown eyes and a facial shape similar to many Italians, Greeks, Turks. They often have a deeper tan shade to their skin than other white-skinned people. Africans and orientals are clearly not blacks, but many white Americans could be confused with blacks. In fact, many white Americans ARE blacks because their ancestors come from the Caucasus. Russians can see the difference between blacks and other white-skinned people at a glance.

ow28 · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 36

>>> Italians, Greeks, Turks
I can not agree. The first 2 are easy recognizable as Greeks and Italians by their appearence and especially by their behavior Smile

And , moreove, we like them Smile

JohnDaniel · Just Starting Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 5

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