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Antosha
Just Starting
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 4:30 am Post subject: Russians and racism |
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I read the comments under Myths and truth; it seemed a bit ironic, how peoples views are of russians being racist, any foreigner is considered in any country to be 'not one of us' and talk about them if they see them, they only say it or talk to a friend about it assuming the person cannot understand it. It is also because Russians have been treated badly in the soviet era and and dont trust anyone. If you look at other countries they are just as racist; look at the German band Rammstein and the song 'Moscow'. Look at USA, they were just as racist and paranoid of Communism; coming up with a domino theory, that a child could have come up with, extreme politics usually occures with extreme political and national atmosphere. If the USA was like Russia I would think they would be Communist, its just that people always assume the bad things of people and that they 'focus' on someone thinking something, in reality they could be thinking anything. Anyone could be racist and Russia is a huge place, and the only reason you dont see someone shouting a racist remark in the USA is because laws have been implemented to protect the African-Americans and others. Russia has been a multi-cultural nation for a long time, it has got along good so far; and you cant expect to have no racism in a country because thats just life, you cant expect too much out of life. USA is just as un-united as Russia is, look at the recent events and how the african american population was affected. Some interviewers interviewed some African american people who say that racism has evloved to be subconcious racism, so you see its what you do with your time that counts because you aint gonna see perfection, anywhere. If you see some fool saying something that you think is racist, then just say 'F*** you' and run away or something, stand up for yourself. Being a Russian I know that racism is in our culture, and living in a country, I know that racism exists here too, New Zealand are racist against Asian immigrants, either because they 'drive slow' or kill New Zealanders on the road, racism is everywhere, I suggest to get to know the people/person that way you can see they arent much different from you except for some experiences in the persons life.
From what I heard from my mother, she dislikes Jews; I dont, she dislikes Americans; but wants to marry an american; she dislikes Germans because of her experiences in Germany being called a russian pig; I have a friend who is half-german and hes a great friend, I think the older generation has all these hates inside them and they are passing it to the younger generation, saying its the younger generations fault or ideas, its the older generation who is responsible for the younger generation! |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:09 am Post subject: |
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| Have you been to the United States? You seem to have so many opnions about this country. In New York City, there are hundreds of thousands Russian immigrants. Most of us are doing quite well and can hardly complain about any kind of discrimination. |
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rms
Just Starting
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:11 am Post subject: |
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Hi. I have been thinking about a trip to Russia for some time. I am an Asian American (an immigrant like many forum participants) and have been interested in Russian literature for a few years now. I have been thinking about a trip of roughly 3-4 weeks.
Recently, I've been reading about a lot of attacks on non-white people in Moscow, including visitors, foreign students, and embassy workers. As a Bangladeshi, I know all too well how the Western press can sensationalize these incidents. Neverthelss, I am interested in knowing on how safe it is for Asians to visit Russia. Do Russians interact/welcome non-white visitors? Will it be safe going to nightclubs or easy meeting Russians?
Forgive my ignorance, but I want to find out these answers before I decide to go there. I've meet several people who visited Russia, but all were white. I would be especially interested in hearing from Russians and non-caucasians who have visited.
rgds,
rms |
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rms
Just Starting
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:44 am Post subject: |
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Gul Dukat (trekker?)
It's true that I have this opinion. But I want to know if it is well founded. As I do not know any Russian socially and have never been there, my opinions are formulated solely from press/internet accounts. Gut feelings can often be wront. You mentioned "I don't trust them." Is this based on any personal experience. If so, feel free to share.
rgds,
rms |
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Vic
Talk Show Host
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Posts: 298
Location: Moscow, Russian Federation
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| Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: | | Have you been to the United States? You seem to have so many opnions about this country. In New York City, there are hundreds of thousands Russian immigrants. Most of us are doing quite well and can hardly complain about any kind of discrimination. |
Suprising as most of *you* are jewish 
That wasn't racism. I have nothing against jews and I am quite fond of Muslims.
Vic |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Vic: There quite a few ethnic russians here in New York and in other cities. Many came here because they won a green card lottery. Many families are mixed with, say, one jewish member where other members of the family are russians, ukrainians, etc. Here no one cares who we are wethnically. For everyone here we are "russians" because of our language and culture. But if you forget about hundreds of russians here, there are so many ethnic and religious groups here. And we get along very well. Should I mention that there's no such thing as "propiska" here and you don't have to carry your passport with you all day long? Enough said. |
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justinfraz
Just Starting
Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Until several hundred years ago, most people everywhere on earth never saw anybody who didn't look like them. They were not racist because, as far as they knew, there was only one race.
As far as they knew: 1. There was only one race 2. They were not racist.
Only they WERE racist. It just took bumping into other races, aided of course by technological advancement, for them to discover that: 1. There WERE other races on earth 2. They WERE racist. They knew neither of those two facts before the advent of ship-building technology!!!
That was then -- several hundred years ago. But the sad part is that even today -- in the year 2005 -- long after the discoveries were made, the same tired, old, boring, stupid, immature, ignorant, prejudicial, and dangerous racism nonsense and its consequences continue. Long after the arrival of awareness, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment!!! |
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Xela
VIP
Joined: 06 Jul 2005
Posts: 781
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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justinfraz,
Oddly enough, people have always known there are other people in existence. The further back we go, the more difficult it becomes to establish how much of an issue other cultures were for them, as written accounts tend to have a habit of diminishing with time.
However, please look up the correct definition of the terms Renaissance and the Enlightenment, and to which prior era they relate to, and then talk about moving forward.
| Quote: | | They knew neither of those two facts before the advent of ship-building technology!!! |
Many major empires throughout history have been built largely without the use of ships, and relied heavily on land incursions instead.
Indeed, some of the most memorable empires of history have been built this way.
For example, the Persians:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/greecepersiamaplarge.jpg
The Greeks:
http://www.history.upenn.edu/coursepages/hist086/material/greek_empire.gif
And of course, Russia:
http://editors.sipri.se/pubs/pressre/ptibmap.gif
| Quote: | | That was then -- several hundred years ago. |
Ships were being built and utilised for trade, travel and warfare several thousand years ago. From Noah to the Trojan Wars, ships allowed varying people to be united or isolated, depending on the ultimate objective.
| Quote: | | As far as they knew: 1. There was only one race 2. They were not racist. |
More likely, as far as they knew: 1. There was more than one race. 2. And it was for this very reason they were racist. |
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chi6me8ra
Frequent Guest
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 32
Location: Manhattan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: I'm black, I went to Russia and I'm fine... |
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Racism, you know when I went to SPb in 2005 I was completely freaked out that I would be targeted by some psycho Russian Neo-Nazi/Skinhead or something, but in FOUR months I only ran into one crazy guy. I'm a black woman who studied in SPb for a couple months and if anyone stuck out in a crowd it was most definitely me. If anything people were curious as to why I was even in Russia and in all honesty being a novelty was to my advantage. People wanted to talk to me (to practice their English) and sometimes it was easier for me to get into places. But on the flip side I could NEVER blend in and it was frustrating having people talk about me in front of me like I was an idiot, having people stare at me like an exhibit, having Russian guys asking me to take a picture with them and be borderline sexually harassed in GUM. Overall, It was difficult BUT go! It is a total adventure and as long as you are smart about where you go and with who you go out with you should be fine. If you can read a map and ask basic questions and understand basic Russian you are good to go. I wish I could go back right now  |
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chi6me8ra
Frequent Guest
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 32
Location: Manhattan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:32 am Post subject: my message was mostly for rms |
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| sorry for changing topics... |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Whats your interpretation of border line sexual harassment?  |
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chi6me8ra
Frequent Guest
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 32
Location: Manhattan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:23 am Post subject: well |
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| i definitely don't think it's ok for some guy to come up to a girl he doesn't know and grab their butt. i never think that's ok but it's more conceivable at a club or something but not in the middle of the afternoon at GUM. i was so stunned i didn't react for a couple minutes and if you were wondering i just want to let you know that i don't dress like a hooker. anyhow, i had other things to worry about besides being bothered by some random. |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:55 am Post subject: Re: well |
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| chi6me8ra wrote: | | i definitely don't think it's ok for some guy to come up to a girl he doesn't know and grab their butt. i never think that's ok but it's more conceivable at a club or something but not in the middle of the afternoon at GUM. i was so stunned i didn't react for a couple minutes and if you were wondering i just want to let you know that i don't dress like a hooker. anyhow, i had other things to worry about besides being bothered by some random. |
Then that is not border line sexual harassment, its actual sexual harassment! (I was not thinking anything weird about you, was just wondering what sort of crap goes on in a store like that)  Sounds scary though  |
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chi6me8ra
Frequent Guest
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
Posts: 32
Location: Manhattan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject: it wasn't scary |
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| G.U.M. is like "the" mall in Moscow so it's a really nice place. I don't fault the mall just that particular guy. It ws such an odd experience; up to that point all I heard were lame remarks about me being black and randoms proclaimng their love for me. the only thing that scared me was being kicked by the skinhead, it wasn't hard at all but scary nevertheless. |
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