tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post9035372493192176628..comments2024-03-14T23:42:44.959+01:00Comments on AFRO-EUROPE: Should Black people travel to Russia?Afro-Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-49231014933326476122015-09-04T21:29:08.530+02:002015-09-04T21:29:08.530+02:00Yes, I know I'm a bit late for the party but I...Yes, I know I'm a bit late for the party but I would like to add my 2 cents here. It really pains me to see articles that seem to suggest that we, as Black people, have to curtail our lives and movement because of bigots. This is 2015, not 1915. We can't and shouldn't roll backwards into some sort of 'self-segregation' mode. What kind of message does that send out to the world? I think if a person wants to go to Russia, or anyplace else, they should. Fact of the matter is that anyplace can be dangerous. Even one's own hometown. It's time we step out of our comfort zones and get out there. How else will anything change in this world? After all, one can always travel with a tour group if they want to feel safe. As for me, I wouldn't let race, gender or age get in the way. I've always believed that travel is good for social, intellectual and spiritual development. Travel and participating in various cultures is a good way to learn that we are really more similar than different. My only drawback travel-wise is finances and available vacation time. If had the money and vacation time on the job, I'd go to Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe in a heartbeat. Mostly to see the art and architecture and also learn more of the Eastern Orthodox Church of which I am a convert. SabrinaTheArizonaDesertRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04603148816744873455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-78288485083588803912015-07-01T10:10:58.217+02:002015-07-01T10:10:58.217+02:00Personally, I had no interest in visiting Russia u...Personally, I had no interest in visiting Russia until I made a good friend out there. So, it became, "Do I let my fear keep me away from a potentially good opportunity? And how can you love to travel and go to all of these places, but not visit someone whom is simply, the bee's knees?" <br /><br />And while I am still terrified, I'm going to go. I lucked out because he lives in the Republic of Tatarstan, where Johnny Fianu lives (a million thanks for his perspective! It really made me excited to go!), so I hope that the varied population will be a lot more tolerant than some of the more Wild Wild West parts of Russia (specifically Moscow, which I don't think I could ever muster up the courage to visit).<br /><br />I think that as long as black person does their diligent research and their gut agrees with them, it's worth checking out. Although this is one country where I wouldn't bother going without being invited by friends. HCoPlastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17311306169542209258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-69836790298851809012013-07-20T01:28:37.432+02:002013-07-20T01:28:37.432+02:00Your blog is awesome, keep up with the writing! Al...Your blog is awesome, keep up with the writing! Also check out my <a href="http://www.landingsandtakeoffs.com>Europe travel blog</a> when you get a chance. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483043780752774538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-41901463180593853822013-03-24T23:03:11.173+01:002013-03-24T23:03:11.173+01:00Visit Russia? No way! This place is not good even ...Visit Russia? No way! This place is not good even if one is white. Russians are not people who can be trusted in general. And even less so if you are a person of colour.Nina Camarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10295202202133197277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-21185524329770282532012-10-24T13:52:46.349+02:002012-10-24T13:52:46.349+02:00Anonymous
Thank you very much for your comment. I...Anonymous<br /><br />Thank you very much for your comment. I'm an African American grandmother who, inspite of my many differenced with your situation, still can identify with you. I hope things improve for you and other dark skinned people in your country and in other parts of the world, including in the USA where things have improved since I was your age, but there's still a lot that needs to occur before race has not positive or negative personal valuation and there's no institutional racism.<br /><br />Your comment about people touching you for good luck motivated me to write this post on my cultural blog about that subject. <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/10/racial-societal-implications-of.html" rel="nofollow">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/10/racial-societal-implications-of.html</a><br /><br />Thanks for inspiring me to write that post!<br /><br />Best wishes to you!<br /><br />Racial & Societal Implications Of Touching Black People's & White People's Hair Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-66778676817435749062012-10-23T12:16:39.032+02:002012-10-23T12:16:39.032+02:00Hi all, i wish to contribute my lot in this discus...Hi all, i wish to contribute my lot in this discussion about racism. Well, i live in Prague, in the beautiful city of Prague, in the Czech Republic. Though Prague will never be a Russia 2, Though blacks live here in some harmony with the locals, the fact remains that racism is present, here too, towards black people. One would think i am saying some stories here, but this is the pure truth. I loved Prague from day one, as an afro guy, i thought it would be nice to discover this very unknown country, to me, then. They never attacked me, or violenced me in any way, but violence is not the only manner to express hatred and racism (except for this local gang called: 'Skin-heads'), we all would quite agree on that. In the aspect of my work, as a model and actor, i have seen what i call ''soft racism'', here in Prague. You get to a casting agency, you register with them,and you wait on. One day, you get, not a call from your agency(because they never called back to a black guy, of all that i know), but from a kind friend who wishes to show another face of the locals, more open-minded, and tells you look there is this casting coming up soon, would you like to.... Yes. I am interested in it. Fine, this is the contact person, go there on so date, and tell him you're from me. On getting there i tried fleshing out the contact_P, and then i did succeed. Hello...Hello i am from...Yes, i know him. But you see, this production is not really intended for people of colour, because.... Then you have the long suite of lies. You're off. The next time, i went to some other agency, trying to get registered with them too, since it works much better with agencies here, i notice; i came across an ongoing casting for an electronic game project, invited to join the casting by a girl in charge,with a kind of: ''well-what-else-to-do-the-fucker-is-already-here'' attitude, i joined and waited for my turn, my chance. Do this, turn like that, say this , act like that. Never got a call-back, but was informed by the egyptian boy next to me, with whom i became friend, that he, not being extremly white, but not so BLACK also, got a chance and that he was the only of his colour chosen, out of the 8 or 10 people of colour we were. So i did not register anymore, and promised to do that the next day. When going to their office, It was amazing to see how that everyone got so quickly busy with the white candidates for registration, than the black candidate for registration. I waited for 20 minutes, and saw those who came after me, get done, well before i was remembered by the registration officers. The white were taken to the photo studio, with good lighting and all that, i had my shots taken on the corridor, with no light and all that, just as a mere asilum seeker. Maybe so that i do not get selected by the potential movie maker. You get a smile here, as a black, when you are ready to disburse some cash and make a purchase that brings in money to a czech, or when they wish to fee the texture of your skin or hair, if they are seing a black for the very first time. So even go as far as saying that touching a black can bring some luck or fortune to one white czech. These are, but a few experiences i have been through. When i got closer to my fellow blacks, and asked why so? They told me this: The czechs are gamblers, liars, but racists. When they chose a black guy or girl, it means the director is dreaming off having a taste of the guy's manhood, or to sleep with the girl. So afro guys are more estimated for the pleasure they can give in bed, than for the great and enriching contribution of their ethnic diversities. In Prague, 80% of the commercials shown in here, in which blacks appear, and play some lead roles, or visible supporting roles, are shot in other countries. Mainly in the U.S.A or France or other nations, where to be black is not considered as bad or crap. So Russia could be spotted out as one arena of racism, but i think Czech Republic is one of them too. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-43356201600300777342012-03-19T00:29:30.673+01:002012-03-19T00:29:30.673+01:00Not so. I have travelled extensively throughout Eu...Not so. I have travelled extensively throughout Europe, both in small groups(motorcycle trips, golf tours) and alone and I can tell you without reservation: in groups of more than two, people of color are viewed as a threat. Travelling alone, one may receive a glance or even a prolonged stare; have a few friends with you, speaking in English or another foreign language and you are immediately seen as a 'gang'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-4700075801697283102011-11-12T10:26:43.213+01:002011-11-12T10:26:43.213+01:00Anonymous, I only know from Russia what I have hea...Anonymous, I only know from Russia what I have heard from others and what I posted on this blog. I know that Moscow can be challenging sometimes for people with a dark skin tone. Even a Spanish waiter got in trouble because of his dark complexion. <br /><br />I am going to be honest, when I did a small research for these post on Russia I read many forums and stories about this subject and always the aspect of safety came up. As I said, not only for Black people but also for people from for instance India. The answer was always be careful, especially in Moscow. But as always, it depends in what region, city, or place you are. <br /><br />I found an article of Jonathan Fianu, a black investor who travels to Russia. I posted one his stories on the blog, but I found another one which I will add to this post. Fianu feels safe in Moscow during daytime in busy areas, but at the night he travels by cab. <br /><br />In his story <a href="http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/11/18/tackling_the_race_question05126.html" rel="nofollow">“Tackling the race question” </a> he answers the question you are having now. He is the one who is positive about visiting Russia. But he didn’t live there for a long period, he only visits Moscow. But If you don't have to work in Moscow things might be different. <br /><br />But for an opportunity to work in Russia there are of course other aspects to consider. So if I would be in your place I would mail Afro-Russian blogger Sholademi. <br /><br />He is a blogger and a world traveller, and he has put his e-mail address on his website so people can get in contact with him. I am sure he can give you the detailed “on the ground” information you are looking for. Check his blog at <br /><a href="http://sholademi.livejournal.com" rel="nofollow">http://sholademi.livejournal.com</a>Afro-Europehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-42839289813756955012011-11-12T00:45:48.856+01:002011-11-12T00:45:48.856+01:00i am a african american male who has an opportunit...i am a african american male who has an opportunity to work in russia for three years but after reading some of you guys post about all the hatred and toward african american people i am having second thoughts i would like some feed back whether i should go or notAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-55710804089593107402011-11-02T16:42:25.144+01:002011-11-02T16:42:25.144+01:00Well, you know what happened to Trotsky. Russians ...Well, you know what happened to Trotsky. Russians seem to have a problem with Jews.Afro-Europehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-67665453878943890552011-11-02T04:45:46.998+01:002011-11-02T04:45:46.998+01:00A lot of the whites from the poor European countri...A lot of the whites from the poor European countries have the worst attitudes and behaviors: Russians, Spaniards, Poles (even though one of my best friends is Polish) and Italians.<br /><br />My favorite book is "Crime and Punishment." I love Russian literature and architecture. The place though is too cold for me to want to visit; so, I'll like Russia from a distance.<br /><br />I work with two Russian women. One is really, really nice. The other is a total diva. I feel like telling her "Cut the attitude! You can take your butt back to Moscow with your snottiness."truth2011https://www.blogger.com/profile/01742393873605338858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-78598512129183003922011-11-02T04:42:29.237+01:002011-11-02T04:42:29.237+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.truth2011https://www.blogger.com/profile/01742393873605338858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-49960476849917358682011-11-01T14:18:45.556+01:002011-11-01T14:18:45.556+01:00Afro Europe It's like spring now... the other ...Afro Europe It's like spring now... the other week it was cold and raining.lol! Hope it's like that when i come...but i bet it won't be. You know the Bijlmer Project looks nothing like projects here. Or shall i say use to look like here...so much have changed. But it looks like an up and coming area....negroamor4uhttp://negroamor4u-beingblackinamerica.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-11562103159684075182011-10-31T19:58:14.429+01:002011-10-31T19:58:14.429+01:00negroamor4u, quite an experience. Thanks for the i...negroamor4u, quite an experience. Thanks for the info! Well it's a very good weather now in The Netherlands, it almost feels like spring!Afro-Europehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-80648618836285560932011-10-31T17:11:59.534+01:002011-10-31T17:11:59.534+01:00It’s really unfortunate that there are many places...It’s really unfortunate that there are many places in this world that Black people cannot go. Or better yet feel safe and not have to worry about being attacked. Russia has never been a place that I want to visit only because of the Russian people here in Chicago. They are not friendly at all and they have such bad attitudes. They send too much of their day talking about how they hate Jews. I say this because years ago I worked for a company that was mainly Russian people. And it was just ridiculous how they conducted themselves. And they thought it was fine that they could say so many nasty things about the Jews in front of me. And I said if they are saying this about the Jews just imagine what they were saying about Black people… But I corrected them and taped the conversations…. Because I knew once I made my feelings known they would retaliate. And they did and fired me… But I had my taped conversations…so they had to pay me… Otherwise I would have made sure it was on every news program here in Chicago. I was grateful to have a brother that is an attorney… His advice was golden. Now we understand that all people are not the same. But I would rather visit some place that is more excepting of Black people. Not that they have to like us…but not bother us when we visit. My next trip will be to Amsterdam in February..looking forward to seeing my friends. But not looking forward to all that cold and snow.lol!negroamor4uhttp://negroamor4u-beingblackinamerica.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-36025071176240072142011-10-30T20:02:16.513+01:002011-10-30T20:02:16.513+01:00Pieter, it’s also very cold in some places in Sout...Pieter, it’s also very cold in some places in South Africa during the winter. To be honest, because it was cold I never knew that black people actually lived in South Africa.Afro-Europehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-18291762614312110162011-10-30T15:16:00.468+01:002011-10-30T15:16:00.468+01:00I've been to Russia twice actually, first time...I've been to Russia twice actually, first time in the summer, when it was warm, so I visited so many places and cities, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk etc. it was really nice. But the second time in winter... man that was cold for me.., I was just sitting around in my hotelroom playing <a href="javascript:void(0);" rel="nofollow">slots</a> and these kinds of things cause I just couldn't get out of my place! It was THAT cold hahha :D but for you folks I could advise you to go there during summer time, cause its more pleasant and the temperature is just amazing :) Good luck guys!Pieter.Sanders89https://www.blogger.com/profile/06106678675087157449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-43050359846588756102011-02-28T22:29:32.223+01:002011-02-28T22:29:32.223+01:00Hi Trina, thanks for sharing your experience!Hi Trina, thanks for sharing your experience!Afro-Europehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824302981015575893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-9673518482559208912011-02-28T14:19:49.414+01:002011-02-28T14:19:49.414+01:00Disturbing. I would think safety in numbers would ...Disturbing. I would think safety in numbers would work.Norma Iris Vidalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07215318590435911452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7595398753131290281.post-78985879444100713172011-02-28T13:41:51.456+01:002011-02-28T13:41:51.456+01:00Thanks for this timely article, as well as the lin...Thanks for this timely article, as well as the links. I've been to Russia several times over the years. First as part of a study tour - when it was still the USSR - in 1975 and for the last of several business trips in 2006. I have always been treated very well by my business partners and workshop participants, but know from a friend who's lived and worked there that there definitely is another (brutal) side to the story. <br /><br />I personally treasure my experiences in Russia, and would certainly welcome another opportunity to visit the country. But I would be very wary about staying there for a longer period of time based on the most recent reports I've read. <br /><br />I do hope, however, that the atmosphere will change there in the foreseeable future, so that more and more people of color can take advantage of seeing this fascinating country first hand and experience its culture and people - safely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com