Is Russia safe for Africans (Blacks)
Is Russia safe for Africans? or shall I say, how safe is Russia for Blacks?
I was inspired to write this piece after I received an e-mail from a certain British gentleman ( I assume he is Black) and whose partner happens to be Russian. He wanted to know if it was safe enough for him to come to Russia to visit his partner?
ah! I say! What won’t you do for love eh? (you can put a smile on your face here and make an “awww” sound.) Thanks.
Now to answer the question. Is it safe? Well, this is not a yes or no answer? But you can make your life safer if you follow the below tips:
1. Don’t walk alone especially at night.
2. Avoid dark or unlighted areas
3. Try to avoid the metro on football match-days.
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5. Take a taxi if you can afford it.
Back in the ’90s An African could walk the length and breath of Moscow without any trouble (aside occasional -“your passport/documents please” from police officers patrolling the streets) but fast forward to 2000s and the story has changed. We’ve heard of numerous attacks on foreign students in Russia – some were fatal – and some were “lucky” to escape with serious injuries. I was a victim of one of the several attacks.
This is 2011 and at least in Moscow, you could feel the presence of militia (police) everywhere, which gives some kind of confidence and protection. I will advise though not to rely solely on that. (keep in mind the 5 points listed above).
The mindset of the ordinary Russian towards as African is very much as it was then (did I hear you say “negr” (read “monkey”) so you can expect to get those odd looks almost everywhere you go but hey, looks don’t kill so care not about that.
So to my British gentleman, it is “safe” if you play it safe.
femi.. am an African .. and i will be coming to Russia very soon michurinsk precisely .. please i need information about the place .. this is my email address vanilakas009@yahoo.com , i will be happy to hear from you.
Hi Kassie, welcome on here. May I ask what your purpose of visit to Michurinsk will be? This will help me address your question properly.
I do not advise posting your email address on a public site because of email harvesters and spammers, so best you register on our forum http://www.africansinrussia.com/forum and create a topic under “General Board”. I will see your request immediately and address it to the best of my knowledge. Moreso, that this move will also help others in search of similarly information.
PS: Michurinsk is about the 2nd largest city in Tambovskaya Oblast.
As a young, African-American woman,(though not too young), as well as growing up during the turbulent sixties; I can definitely recall one of my older relatives responding what could be worse than a person of color, to live also thrive in America during the sixties. However, after reading some information concerning Russia also being an Asiatic country, perhaps in all of the country’s due seasons the Russians can better understand other people of color, even though the entire country is considered to be Asia which at times America as a whole, keeps reminding the USSR including the very few Russians who reside in America. Our new esteemed leader President Barack Obama, I hoped has shed a new, refreshing light when he had arrived to Russia for a visit; as well President Barack Obama’s election has became a prophetic dream turned reality, which my relatives who had endured the civil rights movement would have been proud. My interest in Russia though, especially when it had been an imperial state remains still intact. Peace Out, to the entire world.
Thanks for your post Regina. We need positive thinking and energetic people like you. And oh, I think you are still VERY young and at heart too.
Peace is what we need here in this world. Thanks.
I am a black man who recently returned from visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg (Sep 7 to 15, 2013). I went along with a black friend of mine. I must say that after reading comments on various websites about how dangerous it was to visit Russia for blacks, we almost cancelled the Russian leg of our trip. However, we went with much trepidation. I must say I was glad we went. We soon learnt that most of what we read was fear mongering. Other than being stared at quite a bit, we had quite a few requests for photos to be taken with us. This was similar to my experience in China, so it was not out of the oridinary for me, although it was for my friend. Although the people in Moscow did not smile a lot, I simply assumed that is the way they were and didn’t take any offence. We found St. Petersburg to be a bit more friendly and tourist oriented. We even rode the subway at night and walked the streets at night without feeling fearful.
Anyway, in a nutshell, I found Russia to be a fascinating city with awesome architecture and sceneries. I am so glad I visited Russia and can attest that it is safe for black tourists to visit Russia. Maybe living there might be a different story.
Hi Dillion and thanks for your wonderful post. Yes, I can attest to the fact that Moscow is now a better and friendlier place to be NOW just as I can tell you that you would have felt differently, perhaps worse if you had visited some years ago.
Smiling is not part of the culture and its no surprise you get stared at – its the norm here and I’m glad this did not upset you. Of course, living here in Russia is a different story for Africans but all in all its good you had a swell time.
PS; Russia obviously is NOT a city. It is so far, the BIGGEST country in world.
HELLo, can you tell me where is the best place to stay in moscow that is safe for a black person. I am coming with my family. hotel wise! I am c=kind of worried about the location, since i am coming from the states. thank you!
Hello! Well, since you will be on holidays and moreso staying in a hotel, I believe there is nothing much to be worried about. A little bit of carefulness though would definitely not harm you.
You should (if you wish) look to book for an hotel at the city center or at least not too far from it. That way, you will feel relatively safer and get to meet more people and getting around is easier this way.
If you do decide to stay of out the center, there are actually good (even if pricey) hotels outside of town with fresher air if compared to Moscow.
When do you plan on visiting?
Whatever you choose, please enjoy your holidays.
Do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.