By Michael Averko
There has been considerable discussion of such terms as Russocentric, Russophobic and Russophilic within the more academic spheres of English language analysis about Russia. This has led me to another comment on the very matter of what being Russian means.
In America, one is permitted to feel a kinship towards the land of his/her ethnic origin. Hence, a wide range of Americana is evident. It's not uncommon for Americans of historically adversarial ethnic groups to express their differences at various news gathering venues.
In the English language mass media, academia and body politic, there's no doubt that the anti-Russian viewpoint receives favoritism over pro-Russian views. The former claims that this is based on a well-founded reality which many Russians have not or cannot come to grips with. So as to not repeat myself on this particular point, I reference my recent commentary Brewing A Russian Backclash.
A main ingredient of the anti-Russian position is the stressing of how Russia is (supposedly) an intolerable place for non-Russians. Isolated instances of extreme Russian nationalism get magnified to enforce the negative image being promoted by the anti-Russians.
In actuality, Russia has been a very tolerant nation when it comes to absorbing different ethnic groups. There are a variety of reasons for this. The Russians themselves are very much a "mutt" people, comprised of Slavic, Viking and Mongol influences. In comparison, the alleged "pure breeds" in more homogenous countries might be more prone to having greater apprehension about those coming from a different ethno/cultural background.
Russian history is stacked with people from non-Russian origin, who in turn become more Russian than the Russians themselves. Catherine the Great (a Prussian princess) and Alexander Pushkin (whose grandfather was a freed Ethiopian slave) immediately come to mind.
On a much lesser known scale are the many backgrounds of others similar (in one way or another) to my own. I'm 1/4 Russian Orthodox Christian and 1/4 Baltic-German Jewish on my father's side of the family, with my mother's side being 100% Greek Sephardic Jewish. Yet, after acquiring my American identity by birth, it's the Russian designation which serves as my desired identifier.
A frequent Russia-bashing talking point concerns the past and present treatment of Jews in Russia. As someone who simultaneously feels part of the Jewish and political "White Russian" (the latter comprising those Russians feeling allegiance to those who fought on the anti-Communist side during the Russian Civil War) communities, I feel that I'm in a unique position to give an honest appraisal on this specific matter.
I reference this excerpt from an article of mine entitled Stephen Cohen: Mainstreaming For the Elites:
"In The Moscow Times, Cohen had an article stating that Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky could never become Russian president because of his Jewish background. He repeated this claim during an appearance on the PBS Charlie Rose Show. Cohen thus engages in a crude caricaturing of Russia, overlooking numerous particulars.
Skilled propagandists are adept at mixing fact with fiction for the purpose of creating a certain image for popular consumption. Yes, Jews have collectively had instances of misfortune in Russia (as elsewhere). However, to play on that in a manner ignoring the positives is nothing short of demagoguery.
In the over two-hundred-year political history of the United States, there have been no American presidents or vice presidents of known Jewish background. In the short political history of post-Soviet Russia, there have been three Russian prime ministers of Jewish heritage, including the current one (Mikhail Fradkov). Over the past several years, migration from Israel to Russia is around 50,000, whereas migration from Russia to Israel is about 10,000. In all probability, Jews have intermarried more with Russian Gentiles than in any other European nation. Factoids like these aren't advertised in Anglo-American mainstream media because they go against the Brzezinskiite and neo-conservative picture of Russia as a growing authoritarian cesspool under the evil Vladimir Putin.
The responsible analysis from Cohen would have been an addendum to his statement about Jews having a troubled history in Russia. Notably, that such problems aren't exclusively indicative of Russia itself. A great parallel would be noting how many African-Americans are patriotically proud of the United States, despite the great hardships that community has faced. Likewise, I have run into my share of Russian Jews who have been offended by unfair comments directed against Russia. It could be legitimately argued that within the comparative realms of Russian and American societies, Jews have had it better in Russia when compared to Blacks in the U.S."
The perennial world powers seem to share something in common. The ability to attract others into their respective national idea.
Michael Averko is a New York based independent foreign policy analyst whose commentary has appeared in Eurasian Home, Johnson's Russia List, Intelligent.Ru, The Moscow Times, New York Times and Newsday.
Comments
Interesting article. In a broader perspective, I wonder how the author views the current "Russian Fascist" perspective. Intolerant of not just the Jewish population cited in the article, but all "non-russians", whoever that may be.
Posted by: Tanya | December 7, 2005 7:57 AM
Hi Tanya:
Please break down for me the "Russian fascist" perspective in terms of specific groups and individuals.
Some use this term in a way that I find somewhat misleading.
Posted by: Michael Averko | December 8, 2005 12:23 AM
An interesting article.
As someone who's relatives once resided in the "Pale of Settlement", my feelings about jews and russia are mixed. The fact that "beyond the pale" is so well known in the english language highights some of the harder periods, but I cannot take this in isolation from other 'events' in europe (though not making a comparison, the 'Dreyfuss Affair' or Stalin's 'Doctors Plot' where if we were to believe everything said about state anti-semitism, how come there were jewish doctors at such a high level to treat him in the first place???
What's also important to highlight when it comes to smearing Putin et al, is the gulf between propaganda from the likes of the NYT and various parts of jewish 'lobby' in the US, and that of relations with Israel. Even when Sharon protested to Putin about the sale of missiles to Syria it was still within the framework of normal relations between the states. On the one hand Russia has a right to sell arms within certain treaties, on the other, Sharon whether he thought complaining would have an effect or not, could not afford to stay silent.
The Media prefers to not report or bury uncomfortable questions in such cases, for example the 'moral' outrage apparently by the US jewish representatives against the Serbs in the 1990s, and the very close relationship between the Serbs and the Israeli government (regular visits by israeli 'businessmen' to Belgrade), not to mention the toned down reporting of the israeli media, even now but in no way reflects the hysterical style we see in the West.
On a final point, one only needs to look at the Ukraine since the supposed 'Orange Revolution' where anti-semitic sentiments have been more open and outspoken (and generally ignored in the Western Media), Ukranian politicians only now reacting, though probably out of fear as to the PR damage it could inflict. One standard for some (allies), another standard for others (enemies): See :http://www.ocnus.net/artman/publish/article_21873.shtml
Ukrainian University Asks UN to 'Close' Israel
Posted by: Aleks | December 13, 2005 8:05 AM
Aleks
To add on to some points you make, it seems to me that some individuals highlight neo-Nazi tendencies in Russia while downplaying it in other areas like western Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia.
I refer you to an article of mine in the International Affairs section of http://english.intelligent.ru entitled HUMAN RIGHTS AS A PROPAGANDA TOOL AGAINST RUSSIA
Mike
Posted by: Michael Averko | December 13, 2005 2:53 PM
I based my comment about "Russian Fascist" on many articles I have read recently on Russiablog.org. Yuri has reported several instances where intolerance of difference in skin color or nationality were grounds to assault or murder an innocent person. In Veronesh this happened repeatedly. Foreign Students from a variety of nations were actually demonstrating, asking that thay not be killed!
Additionally, a rising tide of young Russians are embracing a "purist" perspective. A couple of months ago there was an article in US Business Week about the new Russian youth, participating in party marches, singing national hymns.
And currently in Russia there is a political party seeking to return to "Russian" roots, and get rid of polluting factors, such as Azerbaijani thugs.
So in general, I would say that my definition of fascism such that it is not directed AT a specific group. It is more of an intolerance of those who are different. And probably a desire to regain some power and identity in an era where neither is in abundant supply.
Posted by: Tanya | December 14, 2005 12:22 PM
Tanya:
Okay.
In realtion to the entire Rusian population, how reflective are these "Fascist" (bigoted)tendencies.
My view is that it's limited.
I put Fascist in quotes because of a political science upbringing which notes how Fascism and Nazism aren't necessarily the same. Nazism, a bigotry based ideology is a derivative of fascism. Fascism itself isn't necessarily bigoted. Authoriatarian and repressive in practice as was true in Spain and Latin America - YES. The bigotry factor though in those instances was of a lesser scale to Nazism (and in some instances very limited). Therefore, neo-Nazi or better yet bigoted is my preferred designation for the kind of hate mongering which you're referring to.
Posted by: Michael Averko | December 14, 2005 2:12 PM
Russia has become a bad place for foreigners to stay, becoz the of the government backed fascists.
People wakeup! Russian is heading towards full fascism.
alert("standup against fascism.")
Posted by: Concerned | October 31, 2006 10:45 PM
Michael,
I appreciate the thought you obviously put into the writing of this article. Your point on black discrimination in the USA is salient. I also understand and agree with your defense of Russia as Russia. An interesting side note: Acts of anti-Semitism are, for the first time, becoming common in Israel. The perpetrators are Russian immigrants. It is ok to be proud of your nationality despite its shortcomings; there are always ways to make things better.
Posted by: Charles | January 28, 2007 8:30 AM
Concerning Israel, that's a new one on me Charles.
Please tell me more.
I've friends and realatives there.
I've heard NOTHING from them about this.
Posted by: Michael Averko | February 24, 2007 4:02 AM