Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Russian culture

A reminder about a nasty bit of Russian culture from the Washington Post:
Russian Medical School Imposes Curfew for Hitler's Birthday

"One of Russia's leading medical schools has advised its many foreign students to stay in their dormitories for three days, fearing they could be attacked by neo-Nazis and skinheads marking the anniversary of Adolf Hitler's birth, which fell on Friday.

"The warning issued by the almost 250-year-old IM Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, which suspended classes for its 1,940 foreign students, was a reminder of the xenophobic and racist violence here targeting students and migrant workers...

"Students in a dormitory near the academy's main building took the measure in stride, saying they had stocked up on food and were using the three-day hiatus to study for final exams next month. Some said they welcomed the concern for their well-being. 'Security is very high, and we have very good protection,' said Pari Vallal, 22, an Indian student who is in his fourth year at the academy.

"Students interviewed at the school said they are constantly on alert, especially when traveling on the Moscow Metro, where a number of racist murders and attacks have occurred..."


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