blacks in Russia
Apr 12, 2009 | 9:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ORF
Posts: 74
blacks in Russia
So my trip to Russia is in 2weeks, in which I'll be staying with a friend. My friend claims that racism in Moscow isnt bad and theres nothing I should worry about. But I've ran across several reports where it states otherwise. So my question is, how are blacks treated in Moscow?
Apr 12, 2009 | 10:54 am
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
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Posts: 1,200
Apr 12, 2009 | 11:25 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
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Posts: 9,252
Just act like you would in any large city and be street aware. I wouldn't be surprised if you got some stares, because blacks are still rare in Russia, although the stares will probably come not from Muscovites but from visitors to Moscow.
Keep your passport on you at all times. I've heard accounts of cops harassing blacks from African countries studying here. I think an American passport will be enough of a deterrent for cops to not give you problems.
Also, avoid skinheads.... cops don't deal with them either.
I think you will be safe if you use your streetsmarts. Let us know how it goes.
Keep your passport on you at all times. I've heard accounts of cops harassing blacks from African countries studying here. I think an American passport will be enough of a deterrent for cops to not give you problems.
Also, avoid skinheads.... cops don't deal with them either.
I think you will be safe if you use your streetsmarts. Let us know how it goes.
Apr 13, 2009 | 5:27 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ORF
Posts: 74
Just act like you would in any large city and be street aware. I wouldn't be surprised if you got some stares, because blacks are still rare in Russia, although the stares will probably come not from Muscovites but from visitors to Moscow.
Keep your passport on you at all times. I've heard accounts of cops harassing blacks from African countries studying here. I think an American passport will be enough of a deterrent for cops to not give you problems.
Also, avoid skinheads.... cops don't deal with them either.
I think you will be safe if you use your streetsmarts. Let us know how it goes.
Keep your passport on you at all times. I've heard accounts of cops harassing blacks from African countries studying here. I think an American passport will be enough of a deterrent for cops to not give you problems.
Also, avoid skinheads.... cops don't deal with them either.
I think you will be safe if you use your streetsmarts. Let us know how it goes.
haha cool. Good news for me!
Apr 14, 2009 | 2:44 pm
#9
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This is good advice. If you do not bring your passport, at least bring a copy of the main page and a copy of your visa. I've seen police harassing select groups of people who were "not Russian" at metro stops on numerous occasions. While I believe it is now not legal for them to ask you for your documents, that does not mean they will not attempt to do so.
Last edited by Xyzzy; Apr 14, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Apr 14, 2009 | 4:53 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ORF
Posts: 74
This is good advice. If you do not bring your passport, at least bring a copy of the main page and a copy of your visa. I've seen police harassing select groups of people who were "not Russian" at metro stops on numerous occasions. While I believe it is now not legal for them to ask you for your documents, that does not mean they will attempt to do so.
Apr 17, 2009 | 5:29 pm
#11
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: London
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So my trip to Russia is in 2weeks, in which I'll be staying with a friend. My friend claims that racism in Moscow isnt bad and theres nothing I should worry about. But I've ran across several reports where it states otherwise. So my question is, how are blacks treated in Moscow?
Apr 18, 2009 | 11:00 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I know when I'm in Europe I work at "looking native", by watching the shoes I wear (better black leather ones usually) and keeping my camera put away. No polyester. Better slacks rather than jeans, nice scarf, etc.
I agree with the suggestion, but I'm not sure what a Russian would expect an American to look like?
Romelle