St. Petersburg Russia and Prague

Read some info on the net about hate crimes in Russia against anyone of color and Jews. Came across this site seeing that some people might be able to answer this:


I'm a BM with a wife from Russia (white of course) and she wants me to visit her mom in Russia. I'm suggesting we stay in a city outside of Russia like Prague (no idea about racism there) and visit Russia for 2-3 days MAX and get the HELL out. I figure her mom can get a visa to hang out with us in Prague so the trip does not feel short. My wife thinks it is safe since she sees Africans there but that means jack to me.

Try to give first hand info. Thanks!!

 

Good idea. I'm Russian and I never took my ex-husband (black) to Russia with me. I'm sorry but the danger is just too great. If you have the money to arrange a meeting elsewhere, by all means go for it. Yes you'll miss out on seeing Russia firsthand, but Prague is also a nice city and you'll be safer.

 

If you're Black, u can roll thru Moscow without any problems. But, don't wander too far afield.

The Kid Rasta 8)

 

Thanks for the fast replies. I think I am going to completely skip the whole Russia idea. I dont want to be self conscious holding my wife's hand. we live in NYC and many of the Russians here are very confused about why she married a black man.

Helsinki and Prague would be safe enough for me and the wife to have a romantic stroll at night in the touristy areas? want some options because I'm not sure what countries are easier for mom to get a visa if it is even required.

 

I am dying to go to Prague - I have heard nothing but fantastic stories about the place...but not on the IR issue. Meaning I haven't heard anything at all...

 

Absolutely not. See below:

More than 30 people were killed in Russia by racists during 5 month in 2007
05.06.2007 22:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Human rights activists are concerned over the growth of crimes on the ground of national hatred. “Based on the information of a regional monitoring, during January-May period of 2007 for about 120 incidents were registered on the ground of xenophobia, in the result of which 31 people were killed and 120 wounded,” head of Moscow Bureau on Human Rights Alexander Brod stated. He said, most of all Azeri, Uzbek, Armenian and African immigrants suffered this year among victims on the xenophobia ground in Russia.

According to Brod, Moscow remains the “leader” in the number of racist attacks. This year 21 people were killed and 42 wounded here. Three more foreigners died in St. Petersburg and 19 were wounded. And 22 people received physical injuries in the Nizhni Novgorod region.

“The rapid growth of such attacks continues. If during the first half of 2004 we have registered 7 murders and about 100 beatings, in 2005 -10 and 200 accordingly, then in 2006 we have already fixed 17 murder cases and 130 beatings. In fact, figures of the first half of 2007 have already surpassed the facts during the same period of 2006,” A. Brod said, “Interfax” reports.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22538

 

Thank you for the advice Moskvichka. I learn something everyday and I did not know it is much worse for Blacks who visit Russia. I plan to visit the country years ago but now I don't because it is not only the skinheads to worry about but, also the PoPo who can jack a Black tourist with the excuse of not having your papers in order especially if the brother is alone and not in a group of tourists.

 

hoping to get this thread back on track. Any comments on the above.

 

If you don't want to go to Russia IG then find the city that is good for your budget. Then you and your girlfriend will have peace.

 

that is the whole purpose of this thread, but I also need to know if me and my wife will be safe. That is more important than a budget.

The closer to St Petersburg the better since my mother-in-law will have to meet us outside Russia.

Hoping someone will comment on cities close by.

 

IG if you want to get close to St.Pete than stay in Helsinki. Prague is a too far. I had been to Helsinki and it is a great city.

 

I have heard Prague is very safe for black men with white women, and why not they do alot of interracial porn on location in the city.

 

Shreesssh......PUMP your brakes...

I have been to Russia several times and I have never had an issue.
I've been stopped by the militia and had no problems with them and I am very surprised Moskvichka that you never brought your husband there?

I was looked at by the majority of Russians with curiosity and those that I came in direct contact with was very polite and inquisitive, including the militia and I will go back again

Iatrogenic

Personally I think you'll be fine your wife knows where she shouldn't even travel which means she would not put you in harms way. Go and enjoy your self it's a beautiful country with a very rich history. Just my .02 + $1.50 gas surcharge!

 

Because I know my neighborhood and what kind of people hang out there. They hang out in the local woods, by the technical school. I wouldn't even let my teenage little brother who is 100% Russian go out alone late at night in my part of Moscow. My little brother grew up in the States, doesn't speak Russian very well and I'd be scared for his safety. And my husband, a big built dark-skinned African? - hell no. That's the kind of foreigner the skinheads hate.

 

Thank you. I have a 'wingman' who lives in Moscow (fluent in Russian) and he is from Cameroon in W. Africa. He's never had any problems -- he's lived there for years.

 

Kid, you and your boys over there must be rolling with the Secret Service and the FBI or some shit, because trust me, Russia can be a very dangerous place for foreigners, especially black ones. I've read, seen and heard countless information of either a Jew, black or immigrant from a neighboring country get beat or killed.

 

I talkin' about Moscow -- the central part of the city (Garden Ring) -- not the 'burbs. There's plenty stores, shops, restaurants, hotels, clubs, bars, ect. Therefore, lots of peeps there day & night. Also, the Russian po-po are all over the place.

 

You are fortunate to have one Kid. Not too many brothers have a wingman like yours. Without someone who knows the ropes it is unsafe to visit Russia.

 

There was a letter to the Travel Editor on the June 17th 07 NYT entitled,
Cautions on Moscow. A Black traveler named Stuart Perkins who traveled to Moscow many time before ending up on his last visit being beaten by neo-Nazi Skinheads. The Russian Embassy in the States said they were "sorry" of this had happened to him. That is a lame excuse.

 

Exactly. I'm not buying all this "the po-po are all over the place" talk. To reiterate, he must be going around with the FBI and the Secret Service because no where, i repeat, no where is safe for blacks in Russia.