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Original poster

Are we able to discuss the Black students trapped in Ukraine on here?

421 replies

EddyF · 01/03/2022 17:55

I think I have read most threads on here about Ukraine/Russia but have not seen any discussions on this issue here.

I saw on TikTok (yup, TikTok has so much information/videos on what’s going on) that Jamaica has now managed to get its people out. It’s the majority of African students that are facing problems getting out. I’m wondering what African leaders are doing about it? A lot of the African-American blogs/comments are furious about this issue (rightly so).

OP posts:
Akire · 01/03/2022 17:59

There have been few threads on the issue, it’s also been on main news channels and yesterday and today have done several features where large groups non white students were finally being allowed board trains and cross boarders. I’m sure still pockets of students stuck while they let women and children nationals leave first. Hopefully they realise anything shows The country in bad light will not help the cause. Though not best reason not to be racist but given situation it will have to do.

sadpapercourtesan · 01/03/2022 18:01

There have been a couple of threads about it. It should be openly discussed that Africans, Indians and other POC are being mistreated and prevented from making their way to safety. There's plenty of evidence of it happening. I have no patience for the apologists who twist themselves into pretzels trying to argue that it isn't racism, or that even if it is we shouldn't be allowing it to detract from the Heroic Little Ukraine narrative.

I think what Putin is doing in Ukraine is appalling. I think ordinary Ukrainians are putting up an impressive resistance, and I am very afraid for their safety and their future. None of this prevents me from finding active, blatant racism unacceptable. It's possible to hold both of those emotional spaces at the same time. There were some proper boneheads on the other threads I saw (and a few racists, too).

tempester28 · 01/03/2022 18:07

Yes it is shocking! Many years ago I studied in the US and one of my professors there was from Sierra Leone, he was amazing. He had obtained his Ba in Kiev. I suspect he has long retired now so that will tell you how long African Students have been studying in Ukraine. They should be treating them with the same care as their own citizens and of course the racism they are facing is a complete disgrace.

GirlInACountrySong · 01/03/2022 18:08

Las thread was deleted

It was a long one too

Porfre · 01/03/2022 18:08

There was a thread but it was deleted.

MarshmallowSwede · 01/03/2022 18:15

War is not a reason to be racist. Being attacked doe not give Ukrainians or anyone the right to misread black people who are also in danger.

All this nonsense about “Ukrainians first “ .. even women and children there are black female students there so what’s the reason they aren’t being allowed to cross?

I would love to hear the answers.

BabbleBee · 01/03/2022 18:18

This was spoken about on Loose Women this afternoon and how Black British people are struggling to get home too. They spoke about how there’s signs saying ‘No blacks’ and that POC are being made to sit at the back of busses. It’s despicable.

Original poster
EddyF · 01/03/2022 18:22

@sadpapercourtesan

There have been a couple of threads about it. It should be openly discussed that Africans, Indians and other POC are being mistreated and prevented from making their way to safety. There's plenty of evidence of it happening. I have no patience for the apologists who twist themselves into pretzels trying to argue that it isn't racism, or that even if it is we shouldn't be allowing it to detract from the Heroic Little Ukraine narrative.

I think what Putin is doing in Ukraine is appalling. I think ordinary Ukrainians are putting up an impressive resistance, and I am very afraid for their safety and their future. None of this prevents me from finding active, blatant racism unacceptable. It's possible to hold both of those emotional spaces at the same time. There were some proper boneheads on the other threads I saw (and a few racists, too).

I 100 per cent agree with you. I have also been glued on Mumsnet most nights just reading on what’s happening but I haven’t seen this discussion spoken about on here. I have been listening to the news etc but I must have missed it because I have also not seen this topic on the news! Mind you, I dip in and out with news so that can explain it.

It’s definitely not sitting right with Africans/AAs and I can see their direction of sympathy less for the people of Ukraine which is a shame.

Do you know if African and other nations that have their people there are doing anything? I was impressed with Jamaica; they acted in no time at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
EddyF · 01/03/2022 18:23

@GirlInACountrySong

Las thread was deleted

It was a long one too

Do you know why it was deleted? Where people fighting or? Because the issue is definitely happening and not some hearsay.
OP posts:
Original poster
EddyF · 01/03/2022 18:24

Were

OP posts:
Porfre · 01/03/2022 18:28

The thread got derailed.

There was a lot of racists posts justifying stopping black and brown people from leaving.

Just a crap post all round. Unable to have a discussion. Just got totally derailed.

Probably the same would happen again.

JunkIsland · 01/03/2022 18:28

African leaders are speaking out about this. There is a story in the Guardian today about the Nigerian government. The president has made a statement among other voices.

Bellalastrasse · 01/03/2022 18:28

Are there any Black British students in Ukraine now? I haven’t heard anything on social media. Would be interested on their view. I wonder if having a European passport helps?

attnsppent · 01/03/2022 18:28

I saw a news report saying the Nigerian government has 'condemned the treatment of their citizens' but didn't see mention of what action they were taking, if any.

So depressing that even during this war and humanitarian tragedy racism just doesn't take a day off.

Bonheurdupasse · 01/03/2022 18:29

There's a lot of Russian sponsored trolls on the Internet spreading misinformation (see - Reddit has "quarantined" the Russia sub because of that) and they have picked up on some such incidents and making it look like this is way more widespread than in reality.
If you look you can see first hand testimonials from black people in the situation talking about the warm treatment they're received- they should be given credibility too.

TeaAddict235 · 01/03/2022 18:43

@Bonheurdupasse

There's a lot of Russian sponsored trolls on the Internet spreading misinformation (see - Reddit has "quarantined" the Russia sub because of that) and they have picked up on some such incidents and making it look like this is way more widespread than in reality. If you look you can see first hand testimonials from black people in the situation talking about the warm treatment they're received- they should be given credibility too.
Is your post an implication that the experiences are exaggerated or amplified? Or that the Russians are at the heart of this news?? Black and south Asians bear no interest to Russian interests.

On TicTok and Instagram there are ample videos by black and Indian heritage students in distress at the boarders with Poland being denied entry. I don't doubt for one minute that it is true. Eastern Europe, in fact anywhere from Germany eastwards is known in the black and south Asian communities as being exceptionally difficult places to survive let alone thrive.

Nigerian consult have been directing its students to Hungary (hip hip hurray Confused just what Viktor Orban wants) and to Romania.

hibbledibble · 01/03/2022 18:44

I agree beware of misinformation here

sadpapercourtesan · 01/03/2022 18:46

Oh, here they come Hmm

It's definitely happening. It's not even surprising. Just depressing.

Hshuznw · 01/03/2022 18:48

There’s a lot of racism involved in the fall out of Russia’s invasion. From the treatment of black people in Ukraine to the media’s portrayal of the invasion against other invasions and wars (I mean, there are journalists who are even saying / writing that things like this don’t happen to countries like Ukraine).

People don’t like it when racism is called out though. Calling out racism is a far greater offence than challenging it or accepting something is racist.

And as PP said, it is very very possible to feel the utmost sympathy for Ukrainians, whilst also being disappointed at racism. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Hshuznw · 01/03/2022 18:49

@hibbledibble

I agree beware of misinformation here
Oh FFS.

Care to enlighten us on what we have been misinformed on?

KeepingAnOpenMind · 01/03/2022 18:50

But I thought only England was racist? This is a terrible shock.

MarshmallowSwede · 01/03/2022 18:50

I don’t think black people have a reason to lie about being mistreated at the border.

“Misinformation “ .. yeah sure. It’s not a secret Eastern Europe is not fond of non white people. And clearly there has been discrimination going on.

I’m white and I find it appalling white people are acting like it’s some sort of explanation for this..there is not! It’s disgusting and unacceptable.

Of course I’m sorry for the war, but again… being at war does not give you the right to be racist against black people or anyone.

Hshuznw · 01/03/2022 18:50

@KeepingAnOpenMind

But I thought only England was racist? This is a terrible shock.
What point are you (poorly) trying to make?
ceramicheart · 01/03/2022 18:52

@sadpapercourtesan

There have been a couple of threads about it. It should be openly discussed that Africans, Indians and other POC are being mistreated and prevented from making their way to safety. There's plenty of evidence of it happening. I have no patience for the apologists who twist themselves into pretzels trying to argue that it isn't racism, or that even if it is we shouldn't be allowing it to detract from the Heroic Little Ukraine narrative.

I think what Putin is doing in Ukraine is appalling. I think ordinary Ukrainians are putting up an impressive resistance, and I am very afraid for their safety and their future. None of this prevents me from finding active, blatant racism unacceptable. It's possible to hold both of those emotional spaces at the same time. There were some proper boneheads on the other threads I saw (and a few racists, too).

Thanks for saying this. I have also seen people on here tying themselves up in loops trying to excuse the bigotry. The problem is also from polish people at the border