Planning a trip to moscow- racism risks?

Question

Want to visit my friends in Moscow whom I met studying abroad in Austria- but am worried about the reports of attacks against foreigners especially blacks.

Should I negate my plans? Precautions to take? Experience from non-white tourists to Moscow/Russia in general?

Answer 1

Planning a trip to moscow - Racism risks?

Want to visit my friends in Moscow whom I met studying abroad in Austria- but am worried about the reports of attacks against foreigners especially blacks.

Should I negate my plans? Precautions to take? Experience from non-white tourists to Moscow/Russia in general?

I personaly think you should be very cautious and absolutely precautious. Do your serious homework first - gather all news and information you need first.  Russia is a very beautiful country with lots of beautful people. The Government of Russia is not Racist at all - in fact it is totally the opposite and the most engaging country in the world with other countries. It is basically an Internal Social Problem in Moscow or St Petersburg, Russia  that needs to be resolved.  

If you are rob in Moscow and make sure you have some insurance money as well. Study the city of Moscow very carefully of the major hotspots of trouble and etc. Learn the language to able to communicate and if you are trouble you may find help. Have a mobile phone that works in Russia so you can phone someone to pick you up if you stranded or in trouble but in a safe spot.

Best things you need to do is to make sure you have Russian friends and others out there in Moscow who are basically streetwise if not, you could put yourself into deep trouble from reports of racists attacks by Street Gangs or Racist Far Rights Groups in Moscow - reported by several news outlets - especially the Russia Today satellite station, the BBC news, other satellite news channels and also other newspaper articles.

http://nationalism.org/rnsp/English/Arti...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/apr...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/517345...

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/...

http://russiatoday.ru/features/news/2722...

http://russiatoday.ru/news/news/26825

http://russiatoday.ru/news/news/22320

http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_i...

http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_i...

http://abcnews.go.com/International/Stor...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa...

Moscow and St Petersburg are two cities in Russia you will hear of such Racist Incidents or Racist attacks which leads to deaths.

I personally think you should go with very trusted friends who know the area very well and the country very well as well. Plan the journey and stay very wisely and do a lot of research first before going to the country of Russia and the city of Moscow - you do not know much about and the environment you are putting yourself into first. If you have protection than you are OK - like a prince or princess of a country with bodyguards and etc. If not, then you are in some trouble.

I also personally think if you do not go at all, you will be allowing the Antiglobalist movement such as the Street Gangs or Racist Far Rights Groups in Moscow and St Petersburg to win. When in fact Rich Russians, Middle Class Russians abroad are buying up large quantities of properties in many countries without any problems - such as Italy, UK, USA and others and they are not subjected to this type of treatment at all or Racial abuse at all - I also think it is the ignorance, prejudice, lack of knowledge from the poor Russian working classes that is causing the problems as well as fear that they may lose their culture or a fear of foreigners taking over and etc. Also a lack of exposure to the outside world or the rest of the world which is caused by Communism Isolation which is now causing some considerable problems. Only time that problems will fade away.

This needs to be look at seriously and challenge thoroughly.

Also I think you should have contacts details of Embassy first, friends details and relatives abroad details if anything happens to you personally.

If you are going to Moscow - just be very very careful out there - basically it is an unknown terrain or unchartered waters for ethnic minorities out there.

I hope this will help you out with your decision.

Answer 2

The risk of not more than in New York.

Answer 3

I'm white and have never been to russia, but i've heard of all this racist attacks and this is what i'd do!.

Just be precautious. Don't get in anybodys way! (Unless you can kick their ***)

Aviod gangs of people that look rough!

Answer 4

Stay in downtown, don't be afraid. And please don't go to suburbs in the middle of the night.

Answer 5

You say you have some friends there, you should be fine. I am sure they will not take you into any dangerous areas and leave you there alone. If you are with russians you should be perfectly fine.

dont get too scared lah... moscow, st petersburg, are just like any city, there are places you dont go into at night in every city in the world, and most towns! dont let fear ruin what should be a great trip to some awesome cities.

main thing to worry about i would say is if you are at a club and get drunk, should take a cab home at night and not walk, recommendation for anyone of any race in any city.

just make sure youre visa and passport are correct... the guards and police around the city may hassle you a bit more because you are black, similar to being white in asia for me.

but that trip would be awesome, dont let fear stop you!