As a Russian-American teenager, I grew up watching all the movies where the Russian is the ever-so dumb "bad guy." While I have met my fair share of dumb Russians, I am very sick of the US portrayal of Russia as its menacing "comrade" with big guns but no brain. While I am not a fan of my birth-country's Stalin-era political tactics, and the treatment of its people, (hence for my current residence in the US), we, Russians, are not as stupid as the US government makes us seem.
This whole sentiment was revived again with the conflict between Georgia and Russia. I watched AMERICAN news stations predict that Georgia will use the "Racial Discrimination Card" and lo and behold... They did, and Americans believed it. While clearly, it is not right for any powerful nation to use the excuse of civil conflict to come in and try to extend their control (sounds familiar...), the Georgian government knows how to use the US's history of resentment toward Russia to win support. Russia is again portrayed as the ignorant and large "bully" that is "threatening democracy" and killing innocent people left and right. Russia, on the other hand, is not at all caring what ethnicity the Georgian people are, but rather defending its assets. When a country neighboring a world power gets cozy with a long time rival, how do you expect it to react? For example, if Cuba was still getting lots and lots of visits from Russia, more military support, and maybe talk of a radar tracking station, or placement of missiles in lots of strategic positions, would not the US react in a same manner with any upcoming threats to their neighbors, and allies? Russia's involvement with Georgian is a measure of self-preservation. The safety "bubble" that the USSR always had with its Eastern-Block neighbors has been probably one of the things that kept the former "cold" war from becoming a "hot" war.
After listening to the current administration make comment after comment of how we, the US, can not allow a bully to come in and invade a sovereign state, such as Georgia, I could not help but feel a little disgusted at the hypocrisy. What about Iraq? Afghanistan? Russia was actually helping out Ossetia, a struggling province legitimately asking for assistance because its current government was oppressing them. Hundreds of refugees actually went up to Russia for safety (or "North" as Fox News corrected themselves...). The primary reason for any of the military action is because Russia was responding to an apparent threat (either action taken by the Georgian military, or the fact of their increasing presence at the Ossetian borders). Clearly, Russia may have crossed a few lines, but for the US to be throwing such a tantrum at Russia's military tactics is like a little child who steals a toy, and then tattles on another for following suit.
It breaks my heart that certain politicians are really striving for an increase in anti-Russian sentiment. "Russia cannot do this...", "Russia cannot do that"... Who are they to say what Russia can or cannot do? We, the US, are doing the same things right now! Maybe even worse! I am not appreciating the growing disdain towards Russian people once again. Revival of the Red Scare, perhaps? Even today, I was sitting with a group of friends, and someone kept talking about how stupid Russians are, and how much they dislike them, without knowing I was Russian. Is that necessary? However, it is a very well played tactic on the side of the US. Most ignorant Americans would say quickly that Russia just randomly attacked Georgia, and now they are going to attack the US because that is what Russia does and that is just who they are, and oh no! World War 3! Heck, some VERY ignorant Americans think that Russia is attacking the US state of Georgia, because before now, they never knew a country existed with that name! Although some may say "ignorance is bliss" I beg to differ, because ignorance causes a lot of biases and completely irrational discrimination. Yet the US is counting on the happily ignorant minds of its citizens to ensure support in whatever they want to tell them.
Another thing is the impact of the media. I am appalled at the attempts of Fox News to hurry and shut up that 12 year old girl from Georgia and her aunt at any of their attempts to say how they felt Russia was actually helping them. I am not at all sure how people could have watched that on the news and not thought to themselves "hmm. there must be SOMETHING our media is not telling us..." People refuse to see both sides of the story. They only focus on the more popular and broadcasted opinion, and that is mostly the product of what our government wants us to think.
With Russia as the new "threat" to the US, I can see a growing dislike for Russia. I doubt we will have a "WWIII" but I can see another cold war emerging. Russia will do anything to keep its dominance in Eastern Europe, and if the US keeps meddling with Russian affairs, there will be a wider gap between Russians and Americans, much like what was 30-40 years ago, or worse. Who knows what all of this will cause, but all we know is the US isn't the only "bully" on the playground anymore!
I have never said that Russian are stupid. I am only upset with the fact that they did not try other mean first. The U.S. had to try many things before it invade Iraq we went to the U.N. and got their support. Russia did not as far as I know if I am wrong please correct me. Afghanistan on the other hand we knew was home to the terrorist cell that attacked us.
As for movies that make Russians out to be stupid most to my knowledge are were made during the cold war and the Russians in them were made more stupid to make Americans feel that they had nothing to worry about. Anything more current then the cold war would be a comedy and is solo for the entertainment value or making fun of old cold war movies.
If America invaded Canada because they want to help a small portion of the Canadian population get away from their current government control and if we did not tell any one about this until our troops were marching deeper into Canada do you think no one would say a word.
I am sorry that your friend can jump to conclusions but the fact that he did not know that you are Russian only begs the point of why did he not know. Is he not a good friend as you post stated? Have you told him that you are Russian and he just forgot? Do you refine from telling people you are Russian to avoid unwanted conflicts?
America had no right to say what it said but Russia needs to stop keeping us in the dark. This is not the cold war anymore. There is not iron curtain up anymore.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ~The Preamble
The whole argument with the movies was just trying to bring up the point of how annoyed I am with the United State's take on Russian people.
First of all, Canada is not Georgia. Canada has never been part of the United States, and thus we have no logical claim at all to Canada. Georgia on the other hand was a part of the Soviet Union, and especially with all the lovely talks the US is having with the former USSR republics about missile bases, etc, you can see just why Russia is being very protective over its neighbors. I am not justifying their invasion and their harming of the innocent Georgian civilians, but you can not go around and tell Russia that they are being a bad bad boy, and yet we go and destroy their sense of security.
In response to
This was once again to provide an example of the anti-Russian sentiment that I have been feeling. How well I know that person has nothing to do with the point.
Why does Russia need to answer to the US at all? I never knew the US was the supreme mother of all countries, and every single one needed to report back to the US for approval. I don't see the US asking Russia for its approval in how to manage Iraq and Afghanistan.
I never said that Russia needs to report to the US to get approval, I meant that as a super power Russia should have tried the UN first and before just go running in. Georgia is a country all on its own and Russia could have put pressure on it.
As for your friend, I merely asked how well he really knew you. If he thinks he never met a Russian before he would listen to and believe the entire BS people say about them. The fact that you did not share with him that you are Russian and show him that he is wrong to believe what he thinks is for you to live with not me.
I am sorry about the Canada statement; I was going for a country near the U.S., not a country controlled by the U.S. in the past. But the statement is still some what valid, I think from what I have heard (and correct me if I am wrong) the Russian troops went in because supporters of Russia were being oppressed.
I would like to thank you for the Blog and the reply. This country does from time to time need cold water thrown in our face to make us see. Also, remember that people will only make opinions based on the information given to them. Also, family has a big impact on how we view others. Most parents that have kids who are in high school now grew up in the cold war era. That gives people a bad taste in the mouth for people they once thought as their mortal enemy and I am afraid that has been passed on to their children. But you are Russian you can understand the Russian mindset, I am sure that you know that your birth country was not doing anything to be evil. They were not trying to get control of the Caspian oil line. They tried all peaceful means first right? I know that my country has made many bad choices but that does not mean that we can not tell others not to make those same choices. If a man gets into a car accident because he was drinking does that mean he can not tell you not to drink and drive? If a woman gets mugged in the park late at night can she not tell you not to walk alone at night? If a man gets arrested for beating his wife, can he not tell others to be careful of whom you marry? If a woman gives up her baby does this mean she can not tell you to have safe sex and or not to have sex? Have a good day and I enjoyed your Blog thank you for another view.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ~Preamble
Thanks for bringing up some legitimate points and for reading my blog!!
As far as the friend thing though, I did tell him afterwards that I was Russian and that there is no reason to say things like that about us, but I did not feel that was necessary to use in my argument.
I have long held a distrust for the media, the governments of the world, and anything else with a lot of power to tell the world only what they want them to hear and hold back bits of the truth. It has been ingrained in me since I was a small child that I should question everything, even if I'm satisfied with the answer.
The fact that much of the world believes exactly what they hear without looking at as many sides of the story before jumping on one wagon or the other bothers me. I should think that they had the sense to actually look at the world with a bit different view once in a while.
I know what you mean about the "anti-Russian sentiment". One of my closest colleagues is from Russia. He is sweet, brilliant, helpful, and usually helps me fix the chemistry machines that I, as a far more stupid American, manage to break often. One day I would hope that more people see that it is not a country, nor a race, but rather an individual that could be disdained.
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I don't know much about this new conflict with Russia, but from my experience the government lies about its true intentions all the time. And being that I don't know much about the conflict, I can't really add much more to this comment although I wish I could.