Well, as any reader of the blog knows, I'm still white, but I wanted to upload a guest post from my friend. A shocking three, almost four years ago, he wrote a post for me about being black in Moscow.
All these years on, he's still rocking it in Moscow and on his way to temporary residence. So, her are some of his insights.
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All these years on, he's still rocking it in Moscow and on his way to temporary residence. So, her are some of his insights.
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Yeah, maybe you shouldn't judge a book by it’s cover but it happens. What are the facts about blacks in Russia? If your black and your in Russia, you’re called “Nigger”. I personally rather not roll my “R” for that word, so that It’s pronounced –Niggah- .
Now I know what you’re thinking, “oh that’s racist”. Is it?
In the past Russia may have been a country known to be “more closed”
towards foreigners, but it has always had international folks like students. I’m no history major but I do know Africans that studied here in the late seventies so… let’s be real here, limited as it may have been, exposure was there.
I have been here a few years now and I've only heard people use the word to describe. Of course I'm not suggesting that in Russian language class, the adjective chart read: Pretty, small, Nigger, short, long, tall or something like that, I'm just saying it’s used to describe people that look of African decent. If your wondering why not the word “black”? It’s because it is used for others like Armenians, Georgians (that’s the country, not the state in America) Azerbaijan and so on. I could tell you plenty of stories about old ladies asking me if I was a N- word, I've reached my limit for the day, but yeah that, and the pleasant conversations that we had after some insightful exchange and a few laughs. Teens also, that talk to me like we’re in some rap video… “ Yo what’s up my NNNN Ninja”
Ok, so what is it like to be the raison in the pudding? I’ll touch on the subject of judging a book by it’s cover. I’ll keep it simple so that it’s not long read.
Remember, they’re not my views, just what I’ve gathered is societies views here:
Often, I feel that I can be categorized as one of the following based on how I’m dress but other things factor in as well.
Jeans and a bright t-shirt= “Poor African, he must be studying so hard in school”.
Most people that do approach me, will ask what I am studying. Reasonable to assume I guess. I would be shocked if they asked me if I was running for a political position. So student, why not? There are many students from Africa here.
Gym clothes near a gym or park= “Must be an athlete here to play for one the Russian teams”.
Given my body type, people will ask me if I am a boxer or some sort of athlete. No, but It’s good I guess, just don’t ask me if I do ballet.
Again, why not? There are some people that come to Russia to play sports here and compete representing local and even national teams. Russia’s women’s 2008 Olympic team had an American competing in it, against the Americans!! Say what you want but both countries are red, white and blue so… whatever, off topic.
Gym clothes in transit somewhere to a gym or park: “ I bet he sells drugs”
I have been approached a couple times and asked if I sold drugs. Just because I look like I'm dressed in my running clothes, doesn't mean that I am ready to run from police. Also, if I sold drugs, why would I be walking? No one has ever asked me what is in the gym bag oddly enough? But I guess they can smell it. I know, that’s raw, sorry for the visual.
Sun glasses= He must be a rapper.
Thanks VH1 and MTV, but no I'm not. Unless you are a pretty Russian girl who likes rappers. In that case I can do a decent impression. It may not rhyme, but it doesn't matter because you won’t understand 80% of what I am saying anyway.
Trust me, I can go on for hours but I’ll stop there. I know, you might think I'm just stereotyping, but keep in mind that the exposure that Russian have as it relates to this topic is similar to that, that countries may have on Russia and therefore likely limited to hear say, news reports and television. That said, no matter what your political opinion is, people here seem to really like a certain president that happens to be black. One whose last name rhymes with “ Yo mama”.
I might touch on other things a different day, for now I’d say it’s still 50-50. Love it or leave it, it’s Russia.
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This post first appeared on An English Perspective On Life In Moscow, Russia, please read the originial post: here
