So, as many of you have seen, I have taken a small break from blogging due to some pressing issues. I had a lot of thinking to do and a lot of hard decisions to make. Long story short, I decided to call off my engagement. While I love my ex-fiancé very much, I couldn't see us reconciling our lives in a way that would work for both of us. It had nothing to do with any cultural or racial differences, but rather life just got in the way. I'm at peace with this decision because I know it's the right one.
Now, on to the point of this blog. I have never traveled extensively in Eastern Europe, but when a friend of mine told me she was going to Russia for a week, I was excited to hear about her experiences. We went out to lunch and I knew something was wrong because she looked positively frazzled. The things she told me made my blood run cold. She said that when she first arrived she noticed that some people were staring at her, intensely. It wasn't a friendly or a curious stare, but rather one of hatred or disgust. Then, when she arrived at the hotel, the workers there acted as if they didn't believe that she was really supposed to be there. They insisted on calling the manager to verify the booking and to make sure the credit card she was using was valid!
The next day, she was at a café and she heard Russians behind her, saying that she was probably a drug addict or prostitute and that they hated all of the "African trash" in the country. She told me that she had never felt so fearful. I was surprised at this comment because she has traveled more than I have, including to some war-torn and extremely poor nations. Needless to say, she won't be going back to Russia. After hearing about her experiences, I can't say that it will be on my itinerary anytime soon as well.
*Edited to include part of a comment I made on this post. Everyone's experiences are different when traveling, like with everything else. The things my friend told me about her personal experiences made me sick. She has since sent me several articles describing the intense racism towards black people in Russia and it is disgusting and terrifying. My decision to not visit Russia is not based on fear, but money. I refuse to spend my money there and support the country in any way.
That is strange my friend is Russian and she says there really isn't alot of racial prejudice towards Africans or African Americans. She says that there is definitely alot of hatred towards Muslims and Arabs. I was intending to travel with her this summer but that sounds horrible.
ReplyDelete@Irony
ReplyDeleteEveryone's experiences are different when traveling, like with everything else. So, good luck in Russia. Maybe it will be different for you, especially if you are with a Russian. But, the things my friend told me about her personal experiences made me sick. She has since sent me several articles describing the intense racism towards black people in Russia and it is disgusting and terrifying. My decision to not visit Russia is not based on fear, but money. I refuse to spend my money there and support the country in any way.
Oh yes, it's not an exaggeration, there is some serious tension between Russians and Non-Russians in the larger cities. Outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg isn't as bad from what I hear, but if you do go, consider taking someone with you.
ReplyDeleteI haven't crossed Russia off of my list yet. I want to go to so badly due to my affinity for Russian history, but I'm seriously considering taking a bodyguard or someone with me when I go.
Here's some pieces you may have or haven't seen already:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4737468.stm --BBC Piece from 2006
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/should-people-of-color-go-to-russia/ -- Piece from Black Foreign Exchange Student
http://www.moscowthroughbrowneyes.blogspot.com/ -- Former student's blog about life in Russia
@KimP
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. I hadn't seen those. Very informative. Usually, I wouldn't discourage anyone from going anywhere, but please be very careful if you do go. The violence against minorities there is unbelievable (as those links prove).
Woah....you just never know. Naomi Campbell lives in St. Petersburg full time now with her billionaire boyfriend. And of course Alexandre Pushkin had African heritage. Sounds like she got sucked into idiot zone. They know they need tourists.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's sad. I never considered going to Russia but do have an attraction to Russian men, well one Russian man. I assumed that Racism is everywhere but people really like to make it seem as though its obsolete. How awful for your friend. Things like that can change you.
ReplyDeletegirl this has been going on for a while in Russia which is funny because one of their national heros Alexander Pushkin was biracial. Go figure. Colorism is a cancer in all societies and it stifles the growth of those societies so its their lost. I have always wanted to go to Russia but when I heard the stories and read them I decided to only go with a friend.but to be honest i have no desire to go to a place that hate me without knowing me. Great blog and miss you much! :D
ReplyDelete@Tanisha
ReplyDeleteYeah, apparently I was the last to know. It's a shame too because it has such a rich history. Thanks for the compliment and the same to you! Have fun being a bella in Italy!