We seek to address several important needs and opportunities in the Russian-American community.
US Census figures show that there are roughly 3 to 4 million people of Russian ancestry in the country. Almost a million more claim Ukrainian heritage and nearly as many others indicate Slavic origins. All of them could have recognizable ties to history and culture associated with Russian-speaking peoples. Unfortunately, most Americans, even Russian-Americans, are not fully aware of the contibutions of Russians to US history and to its present. For the good of Russian-Americans, their children and indeed, their non-Russian friends and neighbors, this needs to be corrected.
Russian speaking people are as varied as Americans. They are however often disunited by several factors: the period in which they arrived in America, their ethnic identity, their religious identity, and their political perspective.
America is notable for the diversity of its people and for its ability to absorb their differences without denying their origins. To the contrary, it encourages respect for heritage and values the cultural attributes with which immigrants have and continue to enrich the American experience. Russian-Americans must recognize the opportunity and the obligation to offer and honor the best of their culture and heritage.
We believe that the separateness of the Russian-American community undermines the great importance of its contributions to the American experience. Few students in American schools know that a Russian was an important general in George Washington's army, or that the Washington Bridge in New York was designed by a Russian engineer, etc. There is a need to raise awareness of the contributions of Russian-Americans, and generally of Russian traditions and culture, in the American consciousness.
The reality of American social and political life is that the interests of individuals become important in direct proportion to the size of the group with which they identify. We believe it is important for Russian-Americans to recognize the value of the elements that unite them over those that divide them. Their children will become acculturated to American norms, but they will want to know how, when, and why their ancestors contributed to them.
Years of living with the contradictions of socialist ideals and Soviet authority have dulled the sensibilities of too many former citizens of Russia and of the USSR. They learned to shield their hearts with distrust and arm their social impulses with cynicism. They just don't "believe" and it is hard to change that perspective.
We believe that the American experience provides an opportunity, however imperfect, for Russian-Americans to take back their traditional values of regard for others and generosity of spirit. There is sufficient visible evidence in this country of true volunteerism to inspire, in the Russian-American community, a greater commitment to public service and “giving back.” Indeed, there have been, and there are today, a number of Russian-American organizations actively working to improve the lives of others. They should be better supported and more such organizations should be formed.
