“Goodbye U.S.A. Privet Russia” was the Facebook status that I posted as I was boarding Flight Number 611 going to Austria with a connecting flight to Russia on March 19th, 2011. This status proved to hold a deeper meaning throughout my trip because I was encouraged to bid farewell to life that I was accustomed to for so long and to welcome with open arms new food, cultures, values, and lifestyles. Russia, which is 4872 miles away from my home near Washington, D.C, was my first trip abroad, my first trip without my family, and my first encounter with racism.
â–º SEMI FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
I touched down in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 20 and began exploring immediately at St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Isaac’s Square which is one of the tallest buildings in St. Petersburg and serves as one of the examples of Russia’s magnificent architecture with its beautiful free standing marble columns and rotunda. Besides the beautiful Russian architecture I experienced something like never before; some Russian people were taking pictures of me and friends from afar and asking us to accompany them in pictures. I was thoroughly confused because nobody really took pictures of me back at home without my consent but when we got back on the bus my teacher informed me that African Americans were not so common in Russia and that some of them have never seen people like us. People were taking pictures of me not because of who I was or what I could do but because of the color of my skin.
I considered the picture taking as pure curiosity but my experience in Moscow was pure racism. I experienced a defining moment in my life when I was confronted by a Russian citizen about my race in the subway. As we were trying to maneuver our way around the subway, a Russian man began screaming at me and a few of my African American friends. Although, the language barrier prevented us from understanding what he saying, I could tell by his aggressive tone, visible veins, and excessive finger pointing that his anger was towards me. One of my classmates who was fluent in Russian was translating as he was speaking and he was making remarks like, “Go back to the plantation”, “Go back to Africa” and “You aren’t wanted here”! Soon another Russian citizen came to our rescue by escorting the man away. He also apologized and made us aware that some Russians are stuck in the past and haven’t progressed. However, I couldn’t shake the pain of how much someone could hate me and other African Americans just because of the color of our skin. My teacher and classmates were trying to console me and the other African American students but this was a moment of maturation for me. A few days after my 16th birthday I was faced with my first racial confrontation and as I lay in bed that night I kept recalling that moment, the phrase, “Go back to the plantation”! But then I thought how far my people have come. How far that I have come and that I shouldn’t let this one moment hold me back. I was able to forgive him and I was able to grow from this experience because it brought me to the realization that this world still has room for progress and that racism is still an issue. I developed a deep love for Russia for the lesson it taught me and my experiences in Russia have broadened my horizons, contributed to my understanding of the world, and developed my love for traveling.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “From Russia with Love: A Colorful Experience”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
Hi webmaster, commenters and everybody else !!! The blog was absolutely fantastic!
Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!b Keep em coming you all do such a great job at such Concepts
cant tell you how much I, for one appreciate all you do!
Hello!
I am student of the department of tourism at the University of Piraeus in Greece and i am excited that we are conducting a survey about Family Travel.
I would be really happy if you completed this quick survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1s1OjLYV6AtLcEgkaa6UsqtxjVCnLQ1NMjTGANmOqyAw/edit
Thank you very much!
Best Family Summer Vacations. Bookanyboat helps you search for boat rentals, yacht charters and sightseeing cruises in 3 exciting destinations, including: Dubai, Ibiza and Miami. bookanyboat.com
Exceptional post but I was wondering if you could write
a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Bless you!
Thanks for finally writing about > How To Chhoose a Dude Ranch When Therre Are
So Manny Chhoices – My Family Travels
Summer is the best time to visit Alaska because the days are longer as well as the temperature were warmer.
As ones luxury cruise ship glides past creaking blue-white glacier and lush woodland, rest on you private veranda.
The Last Frontier is a nature lover’s dream, with places like Production of essential which you can see big cats fishing trout or Queenstown with which you can witness humpback whales breaching on a whale-watching cruise.
In Icy Strait Point, soar over the trees on the a zipline, and learn about the history of the Gold Rush in Skagway.
Thanks for sharing informative post.
San Diego vacation rentals with private pool
Very superb information can be found on web site.
Fantastic site. Lots of useful information here.
I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing.
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Awsome info and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
Hey very interesting blog!
Ahaa, its fastidious conversation regarding this post at this place at this web
site, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
I think that what you published was very logical. However,
what about this? what if you typed a catchier post title?
I ain’t suggesting your content is not good, but suppose you
added something that grabbed people’s attention? I mean How To Choose a
Dude Ranch When There Are So Many Choices – My Family Travels is
kinda plain. You ought to look at Yahoo’s home
page and see how they create news headlines to grab viewers
interested. You might add a video or a related pic or two to get readers interested about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it could bring your blog a little
bit more interesting.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, this post is good, my sister is analyzing these things,
so I am going to convey her.
You have brought up a very good points, regards for the post.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came
to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Wonderful blog and terrific design and style.
After going over a few of the blog posts on your web page, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Your site is very good, I liked the information. Grateful. 10070690
I’m no longer sure where you’re getting your info, however good topic.
I must spend a while finding out much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Do you have at least some idea how to cancel Hawaiian airlines flight? Booked tickets can be dropped online by Visiting Hawaiian Airlines’ actual webpage. explorers don’t have even the remotest clue how to drop the trip on the web, they can contact flight chiefs at Hawaiian Airlines drop ticket
Hi there! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great information you will have here on this post. I will be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
Its excellent as your other posts : D, regards for posting.
Great Post ! I have read your other posts which are really informative for any family traveler. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful informative information.
Exactly what I was searching for, thank you for posting.
very nice publish, i certainly love this website, keep on it
Many years ago, I did study Spanish in Barcelona, with a school called CIEE. I loved every minute of my month there, stayed with an older woman who ran a boarding house for students. She made us all speak Spanish at every meal. I remember eating a lot of patates fritas at her house, but I did learn a lot of Spanish (a little Catalan too) and I fell in love with Barcelona.
I was just telling my friend about that.