Nizhny Tagil, July 2007: “Россия – для русских!” [Russia - for Russians!].
Yekaterinburg, June 2008: “Россия – для всех!” [Russia is for everyone!].
I can’t even begin to tell you how long I’ve been waiting for a change like this, for a reaction like this! I think it’s amazing, and even though it’s a huge step for such a xenophobic society, it can only lead to good things in the future. Maybe it’s only three words on a wall today, but what about five years from now?
9 Comments
‘Russia for Russians’ – why not? Last thing is we want…, another NY, LA, etc.
Problem is not Russians… but why everybody else (darker skinned) wants to come to Russia? Stay home! Can you imagine Josefina if 2-3 million of Russians moved to Azerbajian, what would happen? But of course you don’t care! To you we are some racist morons.
A.
A. Have you ever been to L.A. or N.Y.????? Yes, they have problems with over crowding sometimes and they have had problems in the past with racism. But they are mostly decent people with personal problems. I can not believe anyone could be as narrow minded as you? The world is changing people ARE learning to get along. The IRON CURTAIN is gone! If Russia hopes to improve it’s economic and social problems then they too must change with the world and step into the 21 century.
Skin coloring should not matter, religious beliefs should not matter. You should go back to 1960.
To the commenter above,
So in that case you’d be OK with evicting all Russians from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, LA and wherever else and sending them back home, right?
No?
Somehow I didn’t think so. Immigration and emigration work both ways. You can’t have it YOUR way only. And your comment just very nicely proved Josefina’s point.
Just for clarity, I take it that Mr. A is a RUSSIAN Russian! Humans are very Territorial, and in past ages people could not just pick up and move to another area without meeting some resistance to that movement, whether by individuals or groups. As an American who grew up during the Cold War, and now ardently studying Russian history and culture, I have seen many similarities as well as differences. One of the most important parallels is in the Northern Climate Pale-skinned culture developing a highly technical and prosperous society that others want to participate in, and seek to do so by violating the Laws of the host country. This is a HUGE problem in America right now. Illegals are INVADING the US, bringing disease, drugs, and crime like we have never seen before. Plus, they take jobs away from LEGAL resdidents whether natural born or naturalised citizens. I can only assume that the problem in Russia is similar and would appreciate confirmation. It’s not Skin-shade, but the violation of our laws and the social problems the come with the breaking of our laws. The Scandal of all of this is that the government does not fulfill its duty and obligation to keep these people out or deport them once they are caught. Yes, dribs and drabs here and there…I understnd Mr A’s anger! I have a big problem with buildings being defaced with graffiti but I guess it goes with the Territory.
Yes Baker, problems with illegals are the same in Russia. Guess what there is 7-10 million of illegal immigrants in Russia. But nobody knows for sure, they move around like ghosts. They don’t pay taxes, They commit serious crimes, etc. Sure Russia needs cheap labor but illegals have broken every possible law in Russia. Infact 1/3 of all working age adult male Tajikistanis work in Russia. And another thing… There is ‘ethnic-economics’ in Russia, its like certain ethnic groups like Azerbajanis, take over certain small or large business in Russia and they hire only Azerbajanis, they prefer to do business with other Azerbajanis, etc. Russians hate that! Amazingly, stupid Russia deports only few of them.
Anna, How many Russians are illegals in Brighton Beach, 1-5%? Anyway I don’t care deport them back home, infact I’ll give you 5 Tajiks for every Russian. LOL.
I’m getting sick how Josefina (on her blogs) looks at Russians, as if we are some kind of uncivilized racists. She should look at her native Sweden, whites there don’t want to live even close to darker skin people (usually muslims)
alexey_l098@rushpost.com
Don’t worry in 5 years it will be:РОССИЯ ДЛЯ ОЛИГАРХОВ!!!
A, if you’re getting sick with how I look on Russians in my blogs, then I suggest you stop reading them. After all, if you don’t like it (and obviously don’t get me, who I am, what I think or anything of all that I’m trying to do in Russia) then why go through the constant pain of reading them?
I know Sweden has it own (large) share of problems with immigrants and with the way they are met by Swedes upon arrival, and later when they try to get into society and find a decent job. But when you compare with Russia (some of us have, uhm, first-hand experience) that’s nothing.
Everyone is allowed to have an opinion, and to be right or wrong. After all it’s no competition – it’s only life. And it happens to be the only one we have (until things are proved to be differently.)
I am an American and I consider myself a Russophile. I have studied the Russian language, Russian history and Russia’s unique culture, but I have never been to Russia. I have watched many Russian movies over the years and if a society is reflected, at least in some small part by its movies, then I feel I have at least a minimal grasp on Russians and their feelings towards change in their country (regardless of how you feel about it, it is their country and their culture that are at issue).
As an American, and a Southerner (from Virginia), I can understand Alexey’s concerns. Virginia also has a unique language and culture; at least it did when I was boy. Unfortunately, Virginia has changed a great deal in the last 30 years. Don’t misunderstand my feelings; this has nothing to do with skin color. Virginia has had a very high proportion of dark skinned people for hundreds of years (to you they would be known as African-Americans).
As to Mr. Baker’s assertions that “illegal’s” are bringing disease, drugs and crime: I find this somewhat laughable. Although I cannot speak to any extent on the disease portion of his comment, I study crime in Virginia and his latter assertions are incorrect (at least as it pertains to my own state). Very few convicted criminals were born in foreign countries and those that are identified are usually held on immigration detainers prior to their release.
John T.
Richmond, VA
Josefina, you wrote -”(and obviously don’t get me, who I am, what I think or anything of all that I’m trying to do in Russia)”
What exactly is that you ‘trying’ do in Russia? Of course besides heavy drinking. Have you done anything to promote ‘racial harmony’ in Russia?
I’ll give you credit for one thing, your blogs are in English, your newspaper articles are in English (or swedish) as well, but not in Russian. Luckily for you, most Russians do not know English, otherwise it would have been much harder for you to get that visa. Making fun (by foreigners) of WW2 celebration is not something that Russians like.
A.