Why students do not study Russian anymore

Tue Jun 6 15:39:52 UTC 2000

On Tue, 6 Jun 2000, Udut, Kenneth wrote:

> Only reason I say religious, is that
> I know from online, three Readers in the US in the
> Russian Orthodox Church that are black.

Interesting point!

> One, Reader Michael Bishop, is always being
> chided by his friends, not only for his choice
> of religion, but also, "Why are you learning
> Russian?  That's a white man's language!"

That sounds familiar!

> There *could* be an advertising campaign
> (but one would have to be careful in wording
> and any construed implications) - that points
> out that you *don't* have to study only your
> own cultural background...  perhaps
> something that emphasises "bucking the trend".

Agreed, but the ignorance flows both ways, whether it comes from blacks
who think one has "sold out" or from white colleagues who in an effort to
be friendly make really inane comments (unknowingly or not), such
as, "I'm sure you give a lecture on Pushkin, right?" and others too
numerous to mention.

> [much in the same way men will take women's
> studies]

Agreed!

--Cheri

Cheri C. Wilson
Ph.D. candidate, Russian history
Teaching Fellow
Loyola College in Maryland
Department of History
4501 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210-2699
Office telephone: (410) 617-2017
Fax: (410) 617-2832
E-mail: CWilson3 at loyola.edu
http://www.evergreen.loyola.edu/~CWilson3/

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