Comments on: Volga Boatman Episode 6: Volgagrad http://eagleandthebear.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/volga-boatman-episode-6-volgagrad/ In St. Petersburg, Russia: "There, by the billows desolate, He stood, with mighty thoughts elate ... " -- A. S. Pushkin Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:50:49 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Alec L http://eagleandthebear.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/volga-boatman-episode-6-volgagrad/#comment-130 Alec L Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:30:04 +0000 http://eagleandthebear.wordpress.com/?p=390#comment-130 Good to hear from you, Inna. Unfortunately, it's not just the result of an active imagination. Story of life in Russia. Of course, the photo in this post makes the same point -- the "n-word" doesn't have the same pejorative meaning to Russians. But I don't think we can only point to the French influence. Far more visible in Russia these days is American hip-hop culture: the rap tracks they play in the clubs, the Snoop Dogg concert ($200 for the cheapest seat) last month. And when these artists are dropping "nigger" like no big deal, it only reinforces its use. In this context, you have to admit we Americans have a pretty complicated and nuanced relationship with this word ourselves. Good to hear from you, Inna. Unfortunately, it’s not just the result of an active imagination. Story of life in Russia.
Of course, the photo in this post makes the same point — the “n-word” doesn’t have the same pejorative meaning to Russians. But I don’t think we can only point to the French influence. Far more visible in Russia these days is American hip-hop culture: the rap tracks they play in the clubs, the Snoop Dogg concert ($200 for the cheapest seat) last month. And when these artists are dropping “nigger” like no big deal, it only reinforces its use.
In this context, you have to admit we Americans have a pretty complicated and nuanced relationship with this word ourselves.

]]> By: Inna http://eagleandthebear.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/volga-boatman-episode-6-volgagrad/#comment-129 Inna Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:44:16 +0000 http://eagleandthebear.wordpress.com/?p=390#comment-129 Regarding Russians and the "n-word"...it doesn't have the same pejorative meaning to them. They get it from the French for "black." Btw...this is Inna from the Florence trip. :) Thanks for keeping your blog...it's fascinating. I especially enjoy the stories of kids being locked in with tear gas. Of course...I keep hoping you're making stuff like that up, but I have to remind myself that you're probably not... Regarding Russians and the “n-word”…it doesn’t have the same pejorative meaning to them. They get it from the French for “black.”

Btw…this is Inna from the Florence trip. :) Thanks for keeping your blog…it’s fascinating. I especially enjoy the stories of kids being locked in with tear gas. Of course…I keep hoping you’re making stuff like that up, but I have to remind myself that you’re probably not…

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