Where are they?  In the tundras in Siberia?  

I did not look that up. Interestingly Russians call Caucasian people black.

Why?  That makes no sense.


check this out by a lady who was a tourist (black lady, obviously educated) 

She has no beef with how she was treated, but her story of how blacks got to Russia blows my mind.  

Some historical context: African-descended people in Russia

In order to understand why this question pops up so much, it’s necessary to understand the history of African-descended people in Russia and former Soviet republics. In my research on the web, I was surprised to discover that black folks have long had a presence in what was known as the USSR: according to this article, hundreds of African-Americans travelled to the region between 1920 and 1930 in an attempt to make a better life for themselves, as well as to escape the economic strife and racial persecution they faced in the USA.

Blacks from the African continent weren’t far behind: this article explains that they relocated to the Soviet Union in large numbers, recruited by officials promising a free university education. The social climate for black people at that time was thus good, with skilled black labourers and professionals often receiving red carpet treatment in the form of enviable salaries and subsidized housing.

But this contrasts sharply with recent depictions of race relations in Russia. A quick Google search reveals articles about hostility against blacks across the country, which at its “best” has included verbal abuse (like the racial epithets hurled at black soccer players by fans during matches) and at its worst has culminated in outright physical violence during games on Russian soil.

It’s thus no surprise that black travellers of the present day are concerned about their safety and well-being while travelling in Russia.  Will “Travelling While Black” on Russian soil put them in harm’s way?

Travelling While Black in Russia– My experience

The short version: I had no issues at all during my  time in Moscow and St. Petersburg– in fact, I was treated exceptionally well.  I got a *lot* of love from local people and this was shocking to me based on what I’d heard and read about race relations in Russia.

The long version: I felt like I was received with open arms during my stay.  I got some curious looks, but none of the long, laser-focused stares I’ve encountered in many parts of Asia.  People were extremely polite, helpful and cordial, especially in Moscow, which is decidedly the most “Russian” of the two cities (St. Petersburg looks and feels very Western European. I also found it to be way more touristy and easier to navigate as English, as opposed to just Russian language, is written and spoken far more widely than in Moscow).  Here are some examples of the encounters I had in Moscow that stuck out to me most:

• Russian people, unsolicited, approached us on the street and on the subway to offer help with getting around. Moscow’s subway can be daunting as all the signage is in the Cyrillic alphabet and most guidebooks and maps have the stations’ names written in R

This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at August 2, 2019 12:32 PM MDT

In Russia, the word "Caucasian" is a collective term referring to anyone descended from the native ethnic groups of the Caucasus. In Russian slang, Peoples of the Caucasus are called black, despite the fact that of its Georgian, Dagestani, Chechen etc. population is fair-skinned while the Azeri and Armenian are darker toned; this name calling comes from their relatively darker features.^[38][39] Azeris, Georgians, and Armenians from the Caucasus are called "black arses" (Chernozhopy) (черножо́пый)

Thank you for taking the time.  I'm finding I need to learn a lot more about Russia now than I previously knew. LOL 

... so many blacks got to the USSR, because they were promised education.

Interestingly, the approach the Chinese are taking now is similar.
They are asking African nations to allow them to set up schools ... and part of what they teach is Chinese language, history, and politics.

I had NO idea, Walt.  NONE.  I mean I know what is going on NOW.  I have Mormon friends and call it Missionary, or Scientology, or another Foreign Empire, these pristinely ignorant lands are up for grabs.  

I know that stuff.  

But I didn't know Africans were being courted by Russia back then.  Or that blacks even had an avenue to take any advantantage of upping and leaving this great country of ours. This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at August 2, 2019 1:54 PM MDT

Many Americans in the 1920s and 1930s thought the USSR was "the next great thing".
Many American manufacturers signed contracts with the USSR - even though it wasn't officially recognized by the American government.

Stalin summarized the Soviet celebration of American technology and management in 1924: “The combination of the Russian revolutionary sweep with American efficiency is the essence of Leninism.”

Listen, you.  

....OH WAIT.  BREAKING NEWS JUST NOW ON TV....RATCLIFF IS OUT.  NO MORE RAT.

Ok. Now.  Listen, you..... I watched President Trump say that Putin is very very strong in his denial of racism.  I believe our President.  Don't you?