This is humbling and profound: there is no Russophobia

Russia’s fallout with the West had been going on long before the war in Ukraine. I have a chat group with my close Russian friends and several times they complained how Russia is always at fault, especially in the media. That’s generally true but I always noted to them that geopolitical tensions aside I personally have never experienced any Russophobia as an immigrant in the US. And by never I mean NEVER — not in personal life, not in business; not myself, not my kids. I can’t speak for Europe and the UK, but in America I’ve felt nothing but respect and empathy. I have, by the way, a habit of always mentioning that I’m Russian, when I introduce myself. There is no profound logic behind this habit. If anything, it’s a bit of an insecurity. Despite having lived in America and England for many years, I still have a slight accent.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is such a tectonic event that inevitably I do — for the first time in my life — feel true shame about my roots. It’s hard to say these days “I’m Russian”.

Still, even now, as weeks go by, I can attest again — I don’t see signs of Russophobia. Granted, my social circle in America is narrow. The people I interact with — whether my friends or new acquaintances — are not likely to ever show any “phobia” against anyone. For them “diversity” is not a buzzword. They are multi-cultural, multi-racial; they come from different walks of life and often international backgrounds.