ethnic violence and bystanders

[Michele A Berdy]

Hi, all.  Alas, I think you need to be very clear about the dangers for 
non-white students these days.  Today The Moscow Times reported on the 
aquittal of kids who admitted to killing a Congolese student, and 
noted: "Nineteen people have died in racially motivated attacks this year, 
a group that monitors extremist activity said Wednesday. Another 166 
people have suffered injuries in attacks in 22 regions, the Sova Center 
said, Ekho Moskvy reported. Most of the attacks took place in St. 
Petersburg and Moscow, and they are becoming increasingly vicious, it 
said." A couple years ago I interviewed African students about hate crimes 
and just wanted to weep.  They really don't go out after 5 PM. 

And alas, sometimes people help and sometimes they don't.  I do think this 
is partially the "big city" phenomenon. But I also think it is a part of a 
greater change -- a response to the enforced Soviet notion of society 
being more important than the individual.  People don't have much 
identification with society as a whole (Georgy Bovt wrote about that in 
regard to the Russian diplomats killed in Iraq -- there was virtually no 
public outcry.)  They only have some identification with "neighborhood" 
when something really bad happens -- as in South Butovo.  People are 
generous and caring of family and friends, but otherwise -- it's every man 
for himself. This is not universal; in particular, if you need help, 
people usually really get involved.  But you can no longer count on it in 
the big cities. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------